PURPOSE: to establish a new Multiannual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2013-2017.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision No 252/2013/EU establishing a Multiannual Framework for 2013-2017 for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.

BACKGROUND: on 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The Agency became operational on 1 March 2007. In accordance with the Regulation, the thematic areas of activity of the Agency will be determined through a five-year Multiannual Framework. The Agency carries out the work set out in the thematic areas determined by the Multiannual Framework. The Multiannual Framework (2007-2012) expires at the end of 2012 and a new Framework is needed for the period 2013-2017.

CONTENT: this Decision establishes a Multiannual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for the period 2013-2017. In this context, new thematic areas are set out:

access to justice; victims of crime, including compensation to victims of crime; information society and, in particular, respect for private life and protection of personal data; Roma integration; judicial cooperation, except in criminal matters; rights of the child; discrimination based on sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation; immigration and integration of migrants, visa and border control and asylum; racism, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Complementarity and cooperation with other bodies: the Agency shall ensure appropriate cooperation and coordination with relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies, Member States, international organisations and civil society, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, for the implementation of the Multiannual Framework.

The Agency will deal with issues relating to discrimination based on sex only as part of, and to the extent relevant to its work, taking into account that it is for the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) to collect data on gender equality and sex discrimination. The Agency and EIGE shall cooperate in accordance with the cooperation agreement of 22 November 2010.

The Agency will also cooperate with:

the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound); Frontex; the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); the European Migration Network; Eurojust; Europol; CEPOL and the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (IT Agency).

Cooperation with these bodies shall be limited to activities falling within the scope of the thematic areas laid down in this Decision.

The Decision contains provisions to ensure that the Agency will:

respect the rules for the protection of personal data; coordinate its activities with those of the Council of Europe in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 10 April 2013. It will apply from 1 January 2013.

Decision 2013/252
OJ L 079 21.03.2013, p. 0001

Results of vote in Parliament

Debate in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted by 427 votes to 89, with 52 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision establishing a Multiannual Framework for 2013-2017 for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.

Parliament consents to the draft Council decision although it expresses its concern about the lack of agreement in the Council as regards the inclusion of the proposed new thematic areas of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

T7-0501/2012

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Tatjana ŽDANOKA (Verts/ALE, LV) on the draft Council decision establishing a Multiannual Framework for 2013-2017 for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights .

The committee recommends that the European Parliament gives its consent to the draft Council decision.

Members deeply regret the lack of agreement in the Council as regards the inclusion of the proposed new thematic areas of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the new Multiannual Financial Framework . They are concerned by reported attempts of several Member States in the Council to exclude discrimination based on membership of a national minority from the thematic areas in the context of the Agency.

Given that the Agency needs new thematic areas to work on to ensure continuity in its activities and if there is no new Multiannual Framework in place by the beginning of 2013, the Agency can only work if there is a specific request from an institution and not on its own initiative, Members call on the European Parliament to give its consent to the new Multiannual Financial Framework by the end of 2012. The parliamentary committee, nevertheless, hopes that the Council will revise its decision.

A7-0361/2012

PE494.554

PURPOSE: to establish a Multiannual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2013-2017.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

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

The objective of the Agency is to provide the relevant institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union and its Member States, when implementing Union law, with assistance and expertise relating to fundamental rights in order to support them when they take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence to fully respect fundamental rights. The tasks entrusted to the Agency relate to the collection and analysis of information and data; to the provision of advice through reports and opinions; and to cooperation with civil society and raising awareness of fundamental rights. The Agency is not authorized to deal with the legality of Union acts nor with the fulfilment of Member States' obligations under Union law.

Multiannual Framework : according to the Regulation, the thematic areas of activity of the Agency shall be determined through a five-year Multiannual Framework. This is not a work programme . The Agency's work programmes are adopted each year by its Management Board within the thematic areas determined by the Multiannual Framework. Following requests from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, the Agency work can outside these thematic areas, provided its financial and human resources so permit. The current Multiannual Framework (2007-2012) expires at the end of 2012.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out. However, when preparing its proposal, the Commission has consulted the Management Board of the Fundamental Rights Agency.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 352 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENT: the objective of this proposal is to establish the Multiannual Framework of the Agency for the period 2013-2017.

New thematic areas proposed : in accordance with the Council’s general guidelines of 13 June 2012, the main thematic areas shall be included for the Multiannual Framework of the Agency for the years 2013-2017:

access to justice; victims of crime including compensation for damages; information society and, in particular, respect for private life and protection of personal data; Roma integration; police cooperation, taking into account the specific nature of this field; judicial cooperation, taking into account the specific nature of this cooperation when it relates to criminal matters; rights of the child; discrimination based on race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation; immigration and integration of migrants; border control and visa; asylum; racism, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Complementarity and cooperation with other bodies : the Agency shall ensure appropriate cooperation and coordination with relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies, Member States, international organisations and civil society, under the terms of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, for the implementation of this Multiannual Framework.

The Agency shall deal with issues relating to discrimination based on sex only as part of, and to the extent relevant to, its work to be undertaken on the general issues of discrimination, taking into account that it is for the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) to collect data on gender equality and sex discrimination. FRA and EIGE should cooperate in the terms established by the cooperation agreement of 22 November 2010.

The Agency shall also cooperate with:

the European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions (EUROFOUND); the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (FRONTEX); the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); the European Migration Network; the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (EUROJUST); the European Police Office (EUROPOL); the European Police College (CEPOL); the Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (IT Agency) in the terms established by future respective cooperation agreements.

The Agency shall coordinate its activities with those of the Council of Europe under the terms Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the proposal does not have any direct implication for the EU budget. The Agency will develop projects within the areas suggested and for which the resources have already been earmarked by the budgetary authority.

10449/2012

PURPOSE: to establish a Multiannual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2013-2017.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

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

The objective of the Agency is to provide the relevant institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union and its Member States, when implementing Union law, with assistance and expertise relating to fundamental rights in order to support them when they take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence to fully respect fundamental rights. The tasks entrusted to the Agency relate to the collection and analysis of information and data; to the provision of advice through reports and opinions; and to cooperation with civil society and raising awareness of fundamental rights. The Agency is not authorized to deal with the legality of Union acts nor with the fulfilment of Member States' obligations under Union law.

Multiannual Framework : according to the Regulation, the thematic areas of activity of the Agency shall be determined through a five-year Multiannual Framework. This is not a work programme . The Agency's work programmes are adopted each year by its Management Board within the thematic areas determined by the Multiannual Framework. Following requests from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, the Agency work can outside these thematic areas, provided its financial and human resources so permit. The current Multiannual Framework (2007-2012) expires at the end of 2012.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out. However, when preparing its proposal, the Commission has consulted the Management Board of the Fundamental Rights Agency.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 352 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENT: the objective of this proposal is to establish the Multiannual Framework of the Agency for the period 2013-2017.

New thematic areas proposed : in accordance with the Council’s general guidelines of 13 June 2012, the main thematic areas shall be included for the Multiannual Framework of the Agency for the years 2013-2017:

access to justice; victims of crime including compensation for damages; information society and, in particular, respect for private life and protection of personal data; Roma integration; police cooperation, taking into account the specific nature of this field; judicial cooperation, taking into account the specific nature of this cooperation when it relates to criminal matters; rights of the child; discrimination based on race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation; immigration and integration of migrants; border control and visa; asylum; racism, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Complementarity and cooperation with other bodies : the Agency shall ensure appropriate cooperation and coordination with relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies, Member States, international organisations and civil society, under the terms of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, for the implementation of this Multiannual Framework.

The Agency shall deal with issues relating to discrimination based on sex only as part of, and to the extent relevant to, its work to be undertaken on the general issues of discrimination, taking into account that it is for the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) to collect data on gender equality and sex discrimination. FRA and EIGE should cooperate in the terms established by the cooperation agreement of 22 November 2010.

The Agency shall also cooperate with:

the European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions (EUROFOUND); the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (FRONTEX); the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); the European Migration Network; the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit (EUROJUST); the European Police Office (EUROPOL); the European Police College (CEPOL); the Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (IT Agency) in the terms established by future respective cooperation agreements.

The Agency shall coordinate its activities with those of the Council of Europe under the terms Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the proposal does not have any direct implication for the EU budget. The Agency will develop projects within the areas suggested and for which the resources have already been earmarked by the budgetary authority.

10449/2012

COM(2011)0880

COM(2011)0880

PURPOSE: to establish a Multiannual Framework for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2013-2017.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

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

The objective of the Agency is to provide the relevant institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union and its Member States, when implementing Union law, with assistance and expertise relating to fundamental rights in order to support them when they take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence to fully respect fundamental rights. The tasks entrusted to the Agency relate to the collection and analysis of information and data; to the provision of advice through reports and opinions; and to cooperation with civil society and raising awareness of fundamental rights. The Agency is not authorized to deal with the legality of Union acts nor with the fulfilment of Member States' obligations under Union law.

Multiannual Framework : according to the Regulation, the thematic areas of activity of the Agency shall be determined through a five-year Multiannual Framework. This is not a work programme . The Agency's work programmes are adopted each year by its Management Board within the thematic areas determined by the Multiannual Framework. Following requests from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, the Agency work can outside these thematic areas, provided its financial and human resources so permit. The current Multiannual Framework (2007-2012) expires at the end of 2012.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out. However, when preparing its proposal, the Commission has consulted the Management Board of the Fundamental Rights Agency.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 352 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENT: the objective of this proposal is to establish the Multiannual Framework of the Agency for the period 2013-2017.

New thematic areas : the Commission proposes that the following thematic areas be included for the Multiannual Framework of the Agency for the years 2013-2017:

access to justice; victims of crime; information society and, in particular, respect for private life and protection of personal data; Roma integration; police cooperation, taking into account the specific nature of this field; judicial cooperation, taking into account the specific nature of this cooperation when it relates to criminal matters; rights of the child; discrimination based on race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation; immigration and integration of migrants; border control and visa; asylum; racism, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Complementarity and cooperation with other bodies : the Agency shall ensure appropriate cooperation and coordination with relevant Union bodies, offices and agencies, Member States, international organisations and civil society, under the terms of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, for the implementation of this Multiannual Framework.

The Agency shall deal with issues relating to discrimination based on sex only as part of, and to the extent relevant to, its work to be undertaken on the general issues of discrimination, taking into account that it is for the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) to collect data on gender equality and sex discrimination. FRA and EIGE should cooperate in the terms established by the cooperation agreement of 22 November 2010.

The Agency shall also cooperate with:

the European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions (EUROFOUND); the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders (FRONTEX); the European Asylum Support Office (EASO); the European Migration Network; the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit (EUROJUST); the European Police Office (EUROPOL); the European Police College (CEPOL); the Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (IT Agency) in the terms established by future respective cooperation agreements.

The Agency shall coordinate its activities with those of the Council of Europe under the terms Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the proposal does not have any direct implication for the EU budget. The Agency will develop projects within the areas suggested and for which the resources have already been earmarked by the budgetary authority.

EUR-Lex
COM(2011)0880