News
23/08/2010 - Commission calls on 14 EU Member States to make sure cross-border crime doesn't pay
Over €160 million in criminal assets have recently been seized by
authorities in Italy and the UK. However these were only a fraction of the
criminals' total wealth, which can be easily transferred across borders. Since
2006 EU rules are in force that have allowed Member States to confiscate
criminal assets abroad. But a report published today by the European Commission
shows that half of EU countries have yet to put these rules in place.
Requesting the swift implementation of these rules that help fight cross-border
crime, the EU's Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding commented: "In a time
of economic crisis, it is unfortunate that EU Member States are letting
billions of euro worth of convicted criminals' assets slip through the net.
This happens even though governments agreed on confiscation measures four years
ago".
05/08/2010 - A first in EU history: enhanced cooperation to help international couples
For the first time in history, EU countries are using the enhanced
cooperation procedure which allows a group of at least nine nations to
implement measures if all 27 Member States fail to reach agreement. In this
case it will allow 14 EU countries to move forward with EU rules allowing
international couples to select which country's law would apply to their
divorce. "This first use of enhanced cooperation is a big step forward
towards an EU that works for its citizens. People fall in love across borders,
whatever their nationality," said Vice-President Reding.
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