The Council held a debate on a proposed regulation on mutual recognition of protection measures taken in civil matters upon request of the person at risk
Ministers endorsed guidelines on certain key issues of the proposal to provide guidance for the future work. Those guidelines concern three main issues:
· the need to work rapidly towards the adoption of the proposed regulation. The Council stressed that the work on the regulation should be continued as a matter of priority;
· the need to provide for a simplified system for the recognition and enforcement of protection measures. The Council noted that there should be automatic recognition and no need for a declaration of enforceability. It also underlined that in light of the diverse nature of authorities involved, the procedure must be kept simple;
· the importance of creating a certificate enabling victims to invoke protection measures in another Member State in order to facilitate recognition and reducing the need of translation.
This proposal is part of a legislative package, which aims at strengthening the protection of victims in the EU. This legislative package also includes a Directive on minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime.
The United Kingdom and Ireland have decided to take part in this instrument. Denmark will not participate.