On the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive (EU) 2015/637 on the coordination and cooperation measures to facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union in third countries and Directive (EU) 2019/997 establishing an EU Emergency Travel Document
AFET-AD-758853
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Nacho Sánchez Amor
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The Committee on Foreign Affairs gives its opinion on the Commission proposal to amend Directive (EU) 2015/637 on consular protection for unrepresented EU citizens and Directive (EU) 2019/997 on the EU Emergency Travel Document.¶¶ It proposes extending consular protection to recognised refugees, stateless persons and others without a nationality who reside in a Member State and hold its travel document.¶¶ It calls for stronger crisis preparedness: joint consular contingency plans updated annually or more often, situational awareness with EU Delegations, training, and support from the EEAS Crisis Response Centre and the Emergency Response Coordination Centre.¶¶¶ It asks for more financial and human resources for the EEAS and EU Delegations, and for reimbursement rules allowing citizens to repay after three months.¶¶¶ It seeks better information for citizens, including digital platforms, automatic notifications on arrival in third countries, and reproducing Article 23 TFEU on passports.¶¶¶ It adds data protection safeguards and requires the Commission to evaluate the Directive every four years, reporting on possible breaches of rights.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes amendments to the Commission proposal, mainly to extend consular protection to refugees and stateless persons, strengthen crisis preparedness and coordination, increase EEAS resources, improve information to citizens, and add data protection and evaluation requirements.¶¶¶
Key points
- The opinion is addressed to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs as the committee responsible.¶
- It proposes extending consular protection to recognised refugees, stateless persons and other persons without nationality who reside in a Member State and hold a travel document issued by that Member State.¶¶
- It calls for joint consular contingency plans to be updated annually or more frequently in extraordinary circumstances, and to include risks such as military, political, criminal and health risks and natural disasters.¶¶
- It asks Member States to share risk assessments and travel advice with EU Delegations, and the EEAS to provide consular crisis training to EU and Member State staff.¶¶
- It wants the EEAS and EU Delegations to receive the necessary financial and human resources, and an appropriate increase in the EEAS budget and human resources.¶¶
- It proposes that unrepresented citizens may be asked to repay consular costs three months after assistance, instead of four weeks, and that standard forms be available in all Member State languages.¶¶¶
- It calls for information to citizens to be up-to-date and accessible on digital platforms, with a broadcast service for instant notifications on arrival in third countries and warning messages in crises.¶¶
- It proposes that Member States reproduce the first sentence of Article 23 TFEU on national passports.¶
- It adds that access to personal data shall only be granted to personnel holding an EU Member State passport, and that such data shall not be transferred to third countries without explicit prior consent.¶¶
- It requires the Commission to evaluate the transposition and application of the Directive every four years, reporting on possible breaches of rights.¶
Who is affected
- Unrepresented EU citizens, who would gain clearer eligibility criteria and faster reimbursement rules.¶¶¶
- Recognised refugees, stateless persons and others without nationality residing in a Member State, who would become entitled to consular protection.¶¶
- Member States, which would have to update contingency plans, share information and reproduce Treaty wording on passports.¶¶¶
- The EEAS and EU Delegations, which would receive more resources and a stronger coordination role.¶¶¶
- Vulnerable groups and individuals at risk of discrimination, whose specific needs must be taken into account.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 5000 troops, the projected strength of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity.¶
- 24 March 2022, when the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence was endorsed.
- three months, the period after which repayment of consular costs may be requested.¶¶
- four years, the interval for the Commission's evaluation of the Directive.¶
Legal basis: Article 35 of the Treaty on European Union.¶