The Minister of Justice of Luxembourg (which holds the revolving Presidency of the Union), Luc Frieden, and the European Commissioner for justice, liberty and security Franco Frattini have announced the presentation by May of a legislative proposal for the creation of an EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, which will probably come into operation in 2007. According to Frieden, the Agency which would extend the mandate of the European Watchdog on Racism and Xenophobia in Vienna “will ensure respect for the fundamental rights sanctioned by the existing European Charter of Rights in a manner independent of member states”. According to Frattini, the new Agency will have the task “not only of protecting, but also promoting fundamental rights”, given that it will have the power to present recommendations to the EU Institutions for the adoption of policies in the sector.
