Resolution on the free movement of persons (Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71), legal basis

The European Parliament adopted the resolution on the free movement of persons. This resolution calls on the Council to simplify Regulation 1408/71 aimed at coordinating national social security provisions and to extend it to third country nationals legally residing in the EU. It suggests that Articles 42 and 308 of the EC Treaty would serve as an appropriate legal basis. Parliament points out that it will not deal with any other modification updating the regulation as a result of changes to national provisions until the Council has completed its plans for simplification and revision of the regulation. Parliament calls on Council and the Commission to examine the question of removing the social security and taxation obstacles which affect frontier workers, especially in the context of enlargement. The Commission should also examine the implications of enlargement for the implementation of the regulation.�