Thus, the expert-level negotiations are launched in respect of the Commission’s new proposal issued on 2 December 2015.
The text of the proposal can be found here.
The Presidency does not expect prolonged discussions. With regard to its particular importance the proposal is the priority of the Netherlands, therefore they endeavour to reach, without delay, an agreement on it no later than during the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in March. The Presidency’s ultimate objective is to conclude the negotiations with the European Parliament by the summer of 2016 and to adopt the new Directive. The feasibility of this plan seems to be confirmed by the fact that over one and a half working days the experts managed to go through the draft article-by-article.
The draft directive as adjusted in accordance with the delegations’ comments is again on the agenda of DROIPEN on 19 January for further discussions.
