ODYSSEUS programme 1998-2002: mutual assistance concerning immigration, border controls and asylum

In adopting the report by Mrs Wilmya ZIMMERMANN (PSE, D), the European Parliament has approved the draft joint action, stressing the need to comply with the relevant provisions of the Amsterdam Treaty and calling for: - exchange actions under the programme to be carried out in complementarity and in coordination with other Community training measures and taking into account the prevailing rules on data protection, - specialized training measures under ODYSSEUS also to target officials responsible for administrative decisions, - the programme to fund exchanges (with names withheld) of files or other documents, the processing of which would serve as an example, - research and studies on ways of improving the dissemination of information in the areas to which the programme relates, and assessment of national, Community or Union legislation in force in the fields covered by ODYSSEUS, - close cooperation regarding asylum and the procedures relating to the rights of asylum seekers, including their right to information and access to documents, - projects in the field of immigration also to cover access to employment and non-remunerated activities, combating trafficking in human beings, and combating organized crime in connection with trafficking in illegal immigrants. As regards project funding, Parliament calls for measures to be co-financed by Member States. It also amends the level of financing initially provided for by the Commission (which thus becomes co-financing). Finally, Parliament asks to be kept fully informed of the decisions on co-financing taken by the committee provided for by the programme. �