Press release of 2853rd Council meeting JHA

The Council reached an agreement on two issues regarding a proposal for a Council decision establishing the European Police Office (Europol): the lifting of immunity for Europol officials when participating in operational activities, especially Joint Investigation Teams (JIT), and the principle of staff rotation and the possibility for Europol staff to participating in JIT to receive instructions from the team leader. The presidency announced its intention of reaching a political agreement on this text in April 2008. The Council also adopted conclusions regarding the development of the second generation Schengen information system and decided to approve the signature of protocols on the accession of Liechtenstein to Schengen.

Member states agreed to adopt a common approach for the purpose with a view to discussing with the US the implementation of the US visa waiver Programme Legislation.

Document : http://www.consilium.europa.eu/