During the meeting of the Justice and Internal Affairs Council in Brussels last week, Ministers confirmed the timetable that provides for the entry into force of the European Arrest Warrant by the end of this year. The Directive approved last year had stipulated 31 December 2003 as the deadline for member states to adopt the European Arrest Warrant. But this deadline has so far been honoured only be eight states, thus putting on hold a provision that requires unanimous ratification. France and Luxembourg have notified their intention to approve the European Arrest Warrant by March this year, while Austria, Italy and Holland have indicated their willingness to ratify the directive “by the end of spring”. Further time is being requested by Germany and Greece; both countries are of the view that the European Arrest Warrant can only be implemented “after the summer”.
