Os cidadãos da UE confrontados com problemas durante uma estadia no
estrangeiro podem recorrer à assistência por parte das representações
diplomáticas se o seu próprio país não tiver uma representação nesse local.
Menos de um terço dos cidadãos da UE conhecem este direito.Ora podem beneficiar
de uma assistência equivalente à prestada aos nacionais dos países
representados.
The European Union and the United States reached an agreement on 6 October 2006 on the processing and transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data by airlines to the US government. Airlines flying from the EU to the US can transfer passenger information including names, addresses, phone numbers, itineraries and credit card numbers to US government agencies defined in the agreement. This agreement replaces the one of May 2004 reached between the European Community and the United States, after the European Court of Justice considered a Council Decision to conclude the Agreement illegal because of inappropriate legal basis. However, it did not rule on the content, in particular whether data protection standards had been sufficiently respected by the European Community.
EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers have outlined proposals for a more effective management of migration flows as well as for better prevention of illegal immigration. At the informal ministerial meeting in Tampere on 21 and 22 September, they stressed the need for a common European asylum system for more efficient border controls and for increased solidarity among Member States.
Five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the EU is remembering the victims and expressing its solidarity with those left behind. In a statement, Commission President José Manuel Barroso recalled the EU’s response of increased cooperation with the US since 2001 in fighting terrorism. He spoke of the EU’s determination to tackle the causes and consequences of global terrorism and acknowledged that more remains to be done, such as fighting radicalisation and recruitment. He asserted that the EU must stand up for its values namely respect for human rights, the surest guarantee of its future security.
The Commission has tabled a package of measures aimed at fighting illegal immigration more efficiently while strengthening the solidarity between Member States. On 19 July, it adopted a Communication on the policy priorities in the fight against illegal immigration, a proposal for a Regulation establishing a Community Code on visas for short-stays and a proposal for a Regulation on rapid reaction teams of border guards.
The Commission has launched a new strategy for the promotion and the protection of children's rights. On 4 July, it unveiled a Communication (FR) in which it set out objectives for the future and a number of short-term measures to address urgent issues.
Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Vice-President Margot Wallström presented their contribution to the EU's 'period of reflection' on 10 May 2006. In a communication which will be sent to the European Council of 15-16 June, they take stock of Plan D and propose a policy-based 'citizens' agenda' delivering the results which citizens are expecting.
