FREE MOVEMENT AND RESIDENCE RIGHTS : COMMISSION TO PUT OUT GUIDELINES ON PROBLEM POINTS.

• Position: European Commission

In spite of requests by Denmark and Ireland, the European Commission does not intend to modify the 2004 directive guaranteeing EU citizens and their families the right to move and reside freely in another member state, at least not at this stage. According to a report it adopted, on 10 December, the transposition of the EU directive into national laws is disappointing. Member states had until 30 April 2006 to transpose the text, but Austria, Slovakia, Denmark, Slovenia and Estonia have transposed correctly less than 60% of the text. Only Cyprus, Greece, Finland, Portugal, Malta, Luxembourg and Spain have transposed more than 85% of its provisions.

To help address the problem, the Commission will publish guidelines, in spring 2009, on application of the directive and its problematic points. As for Denmark and Ireland, which have called for a modification of the directive to deal with marriages of convenience, "we will say no' to any change," declared Jacques Barrot, the commissioner for justice, freedom and security, at a press...