The Treaty of Prüm and the Principle of Loyalty (Article 10 TEC).docVIP

IP/C/LIBE/FWC/2005-08 “Management of the European External Borders” DG Internal Policies of the Union Directorate C – Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs BRIEFING PAPER: ORDER FORM No IP/C/LIBE/OF/2005-168 The Treaty of Prüm and the Principle of Loyalty (Art. 10 TEC) 13 January 2006 TABLE of CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1 2. The Treaty of Prüm: Aims and Contents 1 3. The Method of Prüm and its Implications 3 4. Member States’ Obligations under Article 10 TEC 2 5. Prüm and the Principle of Good Faith 3 5.1 The exchange of data 3 5.2 The deployment of Air Marshals 4 5.3 Illegal migration 5 6. Recommendations 6 References 7  Question: Does the Treaty of Prüm, negotiated and signed by 7 Member States, respect the general principles of Community and Union law and in particular the principle of loyal cooperation derived from Article 10 TEC? What action can be requested by Parliament?  The Treaty of Prüm and the Principle of Loyalty (Art. 10 EC) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Thierry Balzacq 1. Introduction On 27 May 2005, seven EU Member States signed an agreement in the German city of Prüm which marks a new step in cooperation in justice and home affairs. The signatory states to the Prüm Treaty are: Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Austria. The objective of the Treaty is to ‘further development of European cooperation, to play a pioneering role in establishing the highest possible standard of cooperation especially by means of exchange of information, particularly in combating terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal migration, while leaving participation in such cooperation open to all other Member States of the European Union’. This briefing note presents the content of the Treaty and clarifies why the Treaty may represent a countervailing force against the European Union’s area of freedom, security and justice. It shows that Prüm weakens the EU more than strengthens