Stockholm Programme
The Stockholm Programme forms the framework for numerous political measures within the European Union in the areas of citizenship of the Union, justice, security, asylum and immigration. It was adopted on 10 and 11 December 2009 at the European Council by the Heads of State and Government of the EU. The Programme replaced the Hague Programme, which expired in December 2009.
The Stockholm Programme is a multi-year programme running from 2010 to 2014 for a joint home affairs and security policy for Member States of the European Union. Its slogan is "Building a Citizens' Europe". The intention is to place the citizen at the heart of all measures.
The Programme forms the framework for numerous political measures within the European Union in the areas of citizenship of the Union, justice, security, asylum and immigration.
The European Commission has devised a campaign plan for the Programme.
Key area: immigration
One of the key areas of the Programme is immigration. The Commission is calling on EU Member States to develop a common strategy for improving border management. In doing so, priority is to be given to granting protection to and receiving minors. The structure of SIS-II (Schengen Information System) and VIS (Visa Information System) is to be finally agreed.
The Commission is also considering setting up an electronic registration system for entering and leaving the EU, as well as programmes for registered travellers. According to the Programme, the EU is to make a decision about the possible introduction of a European system under which permission will be required prior to travelling. In this context, the Commission is planning to set up a new agency.
Furthermore, the Commission is calling for legal regulations to guarantee equal rights for immigrants throughout the EU. It wants integration measures to be improved in the host country. It is the Commission’s view that a joint co-ordination mechanism could be developed. The frame of reference could be based on the following:
- establishing shared practices
- developing common indicators
- openness towards other political areas, and
- more effective consultations and inclusion into the target society.
The Commission proposes not only working within the EU but also stepping up its efforts with countries outside the Union to improve the management of migration flows. It believes that in the future all illegal immigrants should be identified in a methodical manner, and voluntary repatriation should be promoted.
Standard asylum procedure
In the view of the Commission, several significant areas of progress have already been achieved in matters concerning asylum. The necessary funds must be made available to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), which is being set up. The duties carried out by the support office – co-ordinating a system for long-term solidarity, for example – are expected to be expanded by 2013.
The Commission is also calling for the courts in Mmember States responsible for asylum issues to engage in joint training activities.
In addition to the standard asylum procedure, the Stockholm Programme is planning a voluntary system to allow numbers of refugees to be distributed more equally among EU countries. This system is intended to relieve the burden on countries on the external borders of the EU.
The Commission is adhering to its plan already put forward in the Hague Programme for the joint processing of asylum applications.
Previous treaties
The Treaty of Amsterdam, which entered into force on 1 May 1999, specified that the European Union was to be maintained and developed as an area of freedom, security and justice. To this end, an initial working programme was agreed for five years during the European Council in Tampere in 1999.
The Heads of State and of Government of the European Union specified new objectives in the areas of freedom, security and justice in the Hague Programme in 2004.
The Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force in December 2009, also specified the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice as being one of the fundamental goals of the European Union.
