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Brussels, 2.12.2010

Brussel 2.12.2010

COM(2010) 708 final

KUMM(2010) 708 finali

2010/0347 (APP)

2010/0347 (APP)

Proposal for a

Proposta għal

COUNCIL DECISION

DEĊIŻJONI TAL-KUNSILL

amending Decision (2008/203/EC) of 28 February 2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as regards the adoption of a Multi-annual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2007-2012

li temenda d-Deċiżjoni (2008/203/KE) tat-28 ta' Frar 2008 li timplimenta r-Regomament (KE) Nru 168/2007 fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta' Qafas Pluriennali għall-Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali għall-2007-2012

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

MEMORANDUM TA’ SPJEGAZZJONI

Context of the proposal

KUNTEST TAL-PROPOSTA

Grounds for and objectives of the proposal

Raġunijiet għall-proposta u l-għanijiet tagħha

On 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 (the Regulation)[1] establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (the Agency). The Agency became operational on 1 March 2007.

Fil-15 ta' Frar 2007, il-Kunsill adotta r-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007 (ir-Regolament)[1] li jistabbilixxi Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali (l-Aġenzija). L-Aġenzija bdiet topera fl-1 ta' Marzu 2007.

According to Article 5 of the Regulation, the thematic areas of activity of the Agency shall be determined by the Council through a Multi-annual Framework. The Council did so by adopting Council Decision (2008/203/EC) of 28 February 2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as regards the adoption of a Multi-annual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2007-2012 (the Multi-annual Framework)[2].

Skont l-Artikolu 5 tar-Regolament, l-oqsma tematiċi ta' attività tal-Aġenzija għandhom jiġu deċiżi mill-Kunsill permezz ta' Qafas Pluriennali. Il-Kunsill għamel dan permezz tal-adozzjoni tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill (2008/203/KE) tat-28 ta’ Frar 2008 li timplimenta r-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007 fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta’ Qafas Pluriennali għall-Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali għall-2007-2012 (il-Qafas Pluriennali)[2].

The objective of this proposal is to amend the Multi-annual Framework for the Agency in order to allow it to pursue its tasks in the areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation

L-għan ta' din il-proposta hija li jsiru emendi għall-Qafas Pluriennali tal-Aġenzija sabiex din tkun tista' twettaq ħidmietha fl-oqsma tal-kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u l-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija.

General context

Kuntest ġenerali

On 30 June 2005, the Commission proposed[3] to create a Fundamental Rights Agency. To this end, two instruments were proposed: (i) a Council Regulation "establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights", based on article 308 of the EC Treaty, and (ii) a Council Decision "empowering the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights to pursue its activities in areas referred to in Title VI of the Treaty on European Union", based on Articles 30, 31 and 34(2)(c) of the EU Treaty.

Fit-30 ta' Ġunju 2005, il-Kummissjoni pproponiet[3] li toħloq Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali. Għal dan il-għan, ġew proposti żewġ strumenti. (i) Regolament tal-Kunsill "li jistabbilixxi Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali", ibbażat fuq l-artikolu 308 tat-Trattat tal-KE, u (ii) Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill "li tagħti s-setgħa lill-Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali li twettaq ħidmietha fl-oqsma msemmija fit-titolu VI tat-Trattat tal-Unjoni Ewropea", ibbażata fuq l-Artikoli 30, 31 u 34(2)(c) tat-Trattat dwar l-UE.

However, negotiations in the Council allowed for the adoption (15 February 2007) only of the instrument enabling the Agency to carry out its task within the competencies of the Community (Regulation (EC) No 168/2007). The Council decided not to adopt the instrument that would have allowed the Agency to pursue its activities in the areas falling under Title VI of the EU Treaty[4].

Madanakollu, in-negozjati tal-Kunsill ppermettew biss għall-adozzjoni (fil-15 ta' Frar 2007) tal-istrument li jippermetti li l-aġenzija twettaq ħidmietha fl-ambitu tal-kompetenzi tal-Komunità (ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007). Il-Kunsill iddeċieda li ma jadottax l-istrument li jippermetti li l-Aġenzija twettaq ħidmietha fl-oqsma li jaqgħu taħt it-Titolu VI tat-Trattat dwar l-UE[4].

The Commission continues to consider that the Fundamental Rights Agency should be able to pursue its activities (as defined by the Regulation), in the areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation. The legally binding nature of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the suppression of the so-called "pillars" make a stronger case for the addition of these areas to the activities of the Agency.

Il-Kummissjoni għadha tikkunsidra li l-Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali għandha tkun tista' twettaq ħidmietha (kif definiti mir-Regolament), fl-oqsma tal-kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u l-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija. In-natura legalment vinkolanti tal-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali u t-tneħħija tal-hekk imsejħa "kolonni" jipprovdu każ aktar b'saħħtu favur iż-żieda ta' dawn l-oqsma mal-attivitajiet tal-Aġenzija.

Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 was adopted on the basis of Article 308 of the former EC Treaty. Following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, an amended version of this article has now become Article 352 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007 ġie adottat abbażi tal-Artikolu 308 ta' dak li kien it-Trattat dwar il-KE. Wara d-dħul fis-seħħ tat-Trattat ta' Lisbona, verżjoni emendata ta' dan l-artikolu issa saret l-Artikolu 352 tat-Trattat dwar il-Funzjonament tal-Unjoni Ewropea (TFUE).

Matters previously included in Title VI of the EU Treaty (the former "third pillar") have now become chapters 4 ("Judicial cooperation in criminal matters") and 5 ("Police cooperation") of Title V ("Area of freedom, security and justice") of the TFUE.

Materji li preċedentement kienu inklużi taħt it-Titolu VI tat-Trattat dwar l-UE (dik li kienet "it-tielet kolonna") issa saru kapitolu 4 ("Kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali") u 5 ("Kooperazzjoni tal-Pulizija") tat-Titolu V ("Żona ta' libertà, sigurtà u ġustizzja) tat-TFUE.

Article 352 of the TFEU applies to all matters falling under the scope of this Treaty. Consequently, there is no need to amend Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 in order to extent its scope to matters now covered by Title V of the TFEU. However, the current Multi-annual Framework does not include judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation among the thematic areas in which the Agency can pursue its activities. Its amendment is therefore necessary in order to enable the Agency to carry out its task in these areas.

L-Artikolu 352 tat-TFUE japplika għall-materji kollha li jaqgħu taħt l-ambitu ta' dan it-Trattat. Konsegwentement, ma hemm l-eba ħtieġa ta' emenda għar-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007 sabiex l-ambitu tiegħu jiġi estiż għal materji li issa huma koperti mit-Titolu V tat-TFUE. Madanakollu, il-Qafas Pluriennali kurrenti ma jinkludix il-kooperazjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u ta' kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija fost l-oqsma tematiċi li fihom tista' twettaq ħidmietha l-Aġenzija. Għaldaqstant huwa meħtieġ li dan jiġi emendat sabiex l-Aġenzija tkun tista' twettaq ħidmietha f'dawn l-oqsma.

Consultation of interested parties and impact assessment

KONSULTAZZJONI MAL-PARTIJIET INTERESSATI U EVALWAZZJONI TAL-IMPATT

The Commission had launched a wide public consultation before putting forward its proposal for the creation of a Fundamental Rights Agency. Consulted stakeholders had expressed a strong wish for the areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation to be included in the scope of the Agency's activities. The results of this consultation was part of the impact assessment[5] accompanying the proposal, which, as explained above, already accounted for the inclusion in the scope of the Agency's activities of matters falling under Title VI of the former EU Treaty.

Il-Kummissjoni nediet konsultazzjoni pubblika wiesgħa qabel ma ressqet il-proposta għall-ħolqien ta' Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali. Il-partijiet interessati kienu wrew ix-xewqa qawwija li l-oqsma tal-kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u l-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija jiġu inklużi fl-ambitu tal-attivitajiet tal-Aġenzija. Ir-riżultati ta' din il-konsultazzjoni kienu parti mill-valutazzjoni tal-impatt[5] li takkumpanja l-proposta li, kif inhu spjegat aktar 'il fuq, diġà kienet taħseb għall-inklużjoni ta' materji li jaqgħu taħt it-Titolu VI ta' dak li kien it-Trattat dwar l-EU fl-ambitu tal-attivitajiet tal-Aġenzija.

Ever since, stakeholders have continued to voice their wish for the Agency to work also in those areas.

Minn dakinhar, il-partijiet interessati baqgħu jlissnu x-xewqa tagħhom li l-Aġenzija twettaq ħidma f'dawk l-oqsma wkoll.

LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSAL

ASPETTI LEGALI TAL-PROPOSTA

Content of the proposed action

Kontenut tal-azzjoni proposta

The proposed amendment adds an additional item to the list of thematic areas laid down in Article 2 of the Council Decision.

L-emenda proposta żżid element addizzjonali mal-lista ta' oqsma tematiċi stipulati fl-Artikolu 2 tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill.

Legal basis

Bażi legali

The Commission considers that Article 5(1) of Regulation 168/2007 is a secondary legal base within the meaning of the European Court of Justice's judgement in case C-133/06[6]. The legal basis for the current proposal should therefore be the same as that of the Regulation, that is, current Article 352 of the TFUE.

Il-Kummissjoni tikkunsidra li l-Artikolu 5(1) tar-Regolament 168/2007 huwa bażi legali sekondarja fit-tifsira tas-sentenza tal-Qorti Ewropea tal-Ġustizzja fil-kawża C-133/06[6]. Għaldaqstant, il-bażi legali tal-proposta kurrenti għandha tkun l-istess bħal dik tar-Regolament, jiġifieri, l-Artikolu 352 kurrenti tat-TFUE.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION

IMPLIKAZZJONI BAġITARJA

The proposal does not have any budgetary implication. It will enlarge the Multi-annual Framework of the Agency in order to allow work in the area of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters within the projects for which the resources have already been earmarked by the budgetary authority.

Il-proposta ma għandha ebda implikazzjoni baġitarja. Hija ser tkabbar il-Qafas Plurienali tal-Aġenzija sabiex tippermettilha twettaq ħidmietha fil-qasam tal-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija u dik ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali fil-proġetti li l-awtorità baġitarja diġà allokat riżorsi għalihom.

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE PROPOSAL

SPJEGAZZJONI DETTALJATA TAL-PROPOSTA

The proposal adds the areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation to the thematic areas of the current Multi-annual Framework. Pursuant to chapters 4 and 5 of Title V of the TFEU, the European Union can adopt a variety of measures in these areas, which in some cases raise delicate fundamental rights issues.

Il-proposta żżid l-oqsma tal-kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u l-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija mal-oqsma tematiċi tal-Qafas Pluriennali kurrenti. Skont il-kapitoli 4 u 5 tat-Titolu V tat-TFUE, l-Unjoni Ewropea tista' tadotta diversi miżuri f'dawn l-oqsma, li f'xi każi jqajmu kwistjonijiet delikati b'rabta mad-drittijiet fundamentali.

By performing its activities in the areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation, the Agency will contribute to the Union's goal of ensuring that the measures it adopts, as well as their implementation, comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Permezz tal-ħidma tagħha fl-oqsma ta' kooperazjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u ta' kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija, l-Aġenzija ser tikkontribwixxi għall-għan tal-Unjoni li tiżgura li l-miżuri li tadotta, u kif ukoll l-implimentazzjoni tagħhom, ikunu konformi mal-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali.

2010/0347 (APP)

2010/0347 (APP)

Proposal for a

Proposta għal

COUNCIL DECISION

DEĊIŻJONI TAL-KUNSILL

amending Decision 2008/203/EC of 28 February 2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as regards the adoption of a Multi-annual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2007-2012

li temenda d-Deċiżjoni 2008/203/KE tat-28 ta' Frar 2008 li timplimenta r-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007 fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta' Qafas Pluriennali għall-Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali għall-2007-2012

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

IL-KUNSILL TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 352 thereof,

Wara li kkunsidra t-Trattat dwar il-Funzjonament tal-Unjoni Ewropea, u b’mod partikolari l-Artikolu 352 tiegħu,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission[7],

Wara li kkunsidra l-proposta mill-Kummissjoni Europea[7],

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national Parliaments,

Wara li l-abbozz tal-att leġiżlattiv intbagħat lill-Parlamenti nazzjonali,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament[8],

Wara li kkunsidra l-kunsens tal-Parlament Ewropew[8],

Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure,

Filwaqt li jaġixxi skont proċedura leġiżlattiva speċjali,

Whereas:

Billi:

(1) In order for the Agency to carry out its tasks properly, the precise thematic areas of its activity were to be determined by a Multi-annual Framework covering five years as stipulated in Article 5 (2) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

(1) Sabiex l-Aġenzija twettaq ħidmietha tajjeb, l-oqsma tematiċi preċiżi ta-attività tagħha kellhom ikunu deċiżi minn Qafas Pluriennali li jkopri ħames snin kif stipulat fl-Artikolu 5 (2) tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007.

(2) The first Multi-annual Framework was adopted by the Council in its Decision 2008/203/EC of 28 February 2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as regards the adoption of a Multi-annual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2007-2012[9].

(2) L-ewwel Qafas Pluriennali ġie addotat mill-Kunsill fid-Deċiżjoni 2008/203/KE tat-28 ta’ Frar 2008 li timplimenta r-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007 fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta’ Qafas Pluriennali għall-Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali għall-2007-2012[9].

(3) The current Multi-annual Framework however does not include the thematic areas of judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation.

(3) Madanakollu, il-Qafas pluriennali kurrenti ma jinkludix l-oqsma temtiċi tal-kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u tal-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija.

(4) At the moment of adoption of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, the Council had agreed to re-examine, before 31 December 2009, the remit of the Agency for Fundamental Rights with a view to the possibility of extending it to cover the areas of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and invited the Commission to submit a proposal to this effect as appropriate.

(4) Fil-mument tal-adozzjoni tar-Regolament (KE) Nru 168/2007, il-Kunsill kien qabel li, qabel il-31 ta' Diċembru 2009, jeżamina mill-ġdid il-kompetenza tal-Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali bil-għan tal-possibbiltà li jestendiha sabiex tkopri l-oqsma tal-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija u dik ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali, u stieden lill-Kummissjoni sabiex tressaq proposta għal dan il-għan kif xieraq.

(5) Judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation are regulated in chapters 4 and 5, respectively, of Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. A modification of the Multi-annual Framework is necessary to allow the Fundamental Rights Agency to pursue its activities in these areas,

(5) Il-kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u l-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija huma rregolati mill-kapitoli 4 u 5, rispettivament, tat-Titolu V tat-Trattat dwar il-Funzjonament tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Hija meħtieġa modifika fuq il-Qafas Pluriennali sabiex l-Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali tkun tista' twettaq ħidmietha f'dawn l-oqsma,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

ADOTTA DIN ID-DEĊIŻJONI:

Article 1

Artikolu 1

Decision 2008/203/EC is amended as follows:

Id-Deċiżjoni 2008/203/KE hija emendata kif ġej:

In Article 2, the following point is added:

Fl-Artikolu 2, għandu jiżdied il-punt li ġej:

"(j) judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation."

"(j) kooperazzjoni ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali u l-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija."

Article 2

Artikolu 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Din id-Deċiżjoni għandha tidħol fis-seħħ fl-għoxrin jum wara l-pubblikazzjoni tagħha f' Il-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea .

Article 3

Artikolu 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Din id-Deċiżjoni hija indirizzata lill-Istati Membri.

Done at Brussels, …. 2010

Magħmul fi Brussel, …. 2010

For the Council

Għall-Kunsill

The President

Il-President

[1] OJ L 53, 22.2.2007, p.1.

[1] ĠU L 53, 22.2.2007, p.1.

[2] OJ L 63, 7.3.2008, p.14.

[2] ĠU L 63, 7.3.2008, p.14.

[3] COM (2005) 280 final.

[3] COM (2005) 280 finali.

[4] At the time, the Council made the following declaration: "The Council agrees to re-examine, before 31 December 2009, the remit of the Agency for Fundamental Rights, with a view to the possibility of extending it to cover the areas of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. The Council invites the Commission to submit a proposal to this effect as appropriate." (Addendum to draft minutes of the 2781st meeting of the Council of the European Union (Justice and home affairs), held in Brussels on 15 February 2007. Document 6396/07 ADD 1, PV/CONS 7 JAI 80, of 27 February 2007).

[4] Dak iż-żmien, il-Kunsill għamel id-dikjarazzjoni li ġejja: " Il-Kunsill jaqbel li, qabel il-31 ta' Diċembru 2009, jeżamina mill-ġdid il-kompetenza tal-Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali, bil-għan tal-possibbiltà li jestendiha sabiex tkopri l-oqsma tal-kooperazzjoni tal-pulizija u dik ġudizzjarja f'materji kriminali. Il-Kunsill jistieden lill-Kummissjoni sabiex tressaq proposta għal dan il-għan, kif xieraq. " (Addendum għall-abbozz tal-minuti tal-2781 laqgħa tal-Kunsill tal-Unjoni Ewropea (Ġustizzja u affarijiet interni), li saret fi Brussell fil-15 ta' Frar 2007. Dokument 6396/07 ADD 1, PV/CONS 7 ĠAI 80, tas-27 ta' Frar 2007).

[5] See Report SEC(2005)849, 30.6.2005.

[5] Ara r-Rapport SEC(2005)849, 30.6.2005.

[6] C-133/06 Parliament v Council, judgment of 6 May 2008

[6] C-133/06 il-Parlament v il-Kunsill, sentenza tas-6 ta' Mejju 2008

[7] OJ C , , p. .

[7] ĠU C , , p.:

[8] OJ C , , p. .

[8] ĠU C , , p.:

[9] OJ L, 63, 7.3.2008, p. 14.

[9] ĠU L, 63, 7.3.2008, p. 14.