General programme "Fundamental Rights and Justice": specific programme "Fight against violence" - Daphne III Programme 2007-2013

The Commission has agreed to accept the Council’s common position, which incorporates the main elements of its original proposal as well as amendments proposed by the European Parliament. To recall, discussions between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission produced a compromise text which then served as the basis for the Council’s Common Position.

The main differences between the original initial proposal and the new text are as follows:

-          A split between “Daphne III” on the one hand and “Drugs prevention and information” programmes, on the other. For the sake of greater clarity the general and specific objectives of the programme have been redrafted.

-          Specific programmes will be eligible for financing if it involves at least two Member States (rather than three, as was originally proposed by the Commission).

-          The deletion of a specific reference to the “European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children”.

-          The adoption of a double committee principle for implementing measures. Thus, the management committee will be used for the adoption of the annual work programme and the “advisory” committee for all other questions.

On a final point, the European Parliament and Council statement called on the Commission to consider a possible initiative for a European year against violence against children, adolescents and women.