A Review of the Accomplishments of the German EU Council Presidency
On 27 June 2007, the Federal Cabinet took stock of the results accomplished during the recently completed German Presidency of the European Union. Federal Minister of Justice Brigitte Zypries expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in the field of justice.
"In the future, Europe’s citizens will be better protected against racist and xenophobic abuse. They will enjoy more rights as rail passengers and as borrowers of credit. In the area of family law as well – particularly in maintenance and divorce matters – we have taken important strides toward establishing reliable and transparent rules that promote greater legal certainty for bi-national families. I would also have been pleased to conclude the negotiations on common minimum standards for accused persons in criminal proceedings. This is particularly true because, in the recent past, efforts to improve cooperation in criminal matters at the European level have concentrated primarily on improving states’ powers of intervention. 21 Member States were determined to adopt these minimum standards. Unfortunately, six Member States refuse on grounds of principle to afford the European Union any influence over their national criminal procedure law.
Nevertheless, we have made substantial progress in strengthening our Community – which has served as the guarantor of peace and freedom in Europe for over 50 years – and in continuing to shape it in a manner that promotes the well-being of people in Europe,” stated Brigitte Zypries, Federal Minister of Justice and JHA Council President.
