Agence Europe

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• Some moves to qualified majority

  28 October 2004
  Moves are being made towards compromise towards qualified majority and co-decision on immigration, borders and visas. Following the discussion at the Justice and Home Affairs Council, the Dutch minister of immigration Rita Verdonk announced on Tuesday that the presidency would negotiate up to the European Council of 4-5 November with Member States on just how far unanimity would be abandoned.

• Political agreement on biometric passports

  28 October 2004
  On Tuesday, the Justice and Home Affairs Council reached political agreement on the inclusion of biometric data in European passports- a facial image and digital fingerprints. A photograph stored on a chip will be added to passports in 18 months after the detailed adoption of specific technical elements, and the fingerprints within 36 months.