Justice and home affairs: priorities and policy objectives for external relations

In adopting the resolution drafted by Adeline HAZAN (PES, F), Parliament stresses the importance of the external dimensions of EU policy in the area of justice and home affairs. A coherent, coordinated and proactive European strategy in this area is lacking. Justice and Home affairs issues should be integrated into the definition and implementation of other Union policies and measures, most notably in the protection of human rights. However, such an external strategy should meet the criteria of subsidiarity and Community added-value. The priorities Parliament mentions are coordination amongst Member States and candidate countries as regards training for the judiciary and police authorities; reinforcement of the dialogue between EU Member States and third countries examining the causes of migration, readmission clauses and external border controls, in addition to addressing the needs of asylum seekers; support for the development and implementation of a broad anti-discrimination policy; preventing and combating organised crime; extending the competence of Eurojust in coordination combating terrorism with third countries; developing joint efforts to strengthen children's rights. Lastly, the Parliament notes with concern that a certain level of corruption persists in the administrations of the countries applying for membership which, if care is not taken, may compromise the efforts made by these countries to achieve reform and also the impact of the Community's financial aid.�