Rozpravy

Štvrtok, 25. októbra 2012 - Štrasburg

14.6. Konzulárna ochrana občanov Únie v zahraničí (A7-0288/2012 - Edit Bauer) (hlasovanie)

− Prima della votazione.

  Edit Bauer, rapporteur. − Mr President, thank you for giving me this opportunity to make some short remarks, as we have had no preliminary discussion on this topic.

The proposed directive is intended to replace the 1995 decision regarding consular protection for EU citizens by diplomatic and consular representations, in view of the legal framework established by the Lisbon Treaty. Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, on which the proposal is based, provides that every citizen of the European Union shall, in the territory of third countries where the Member State of which he is a national is not represented, be entitled to protection by the diplomatic and consular authorities of any Member State. The proposal covers not only everyday situations, such as loss of a passport or becoming a victim of crime, but also crisis situations where EU citizens might need help. While in relation to everyday situations citizens could seek help at any consulate or embassy of any Member State, crisis situations are different. There was almost unanimous agreement in all the committees involved here that no single Member State or lead-state should bear the burden of dealing with evacuation or other crisis-related tasks, including assistance to unrepresented EU citizens, so the role of coordination had to be shifted to EU delegations. This proposal is an excellent illustration of the fact that ‘more Europe’ does not mean more bureaucracy or more Brussels. ‘More Europe’ could also mean more help for EU citizens in need, and more protection for citizens unrepresented in third countries who find themselves in precarious or crisis-related situations.

Finally I would like to thank all the shadow rapporteurs for their efforts and to ask all of you, colleagues, to support this proposal.