” “"The citizens want the EU to take the measures required to make Europe a safe place to live in". The EU Commission spoke today, giving "a first political assessment of the progress made in implementing the The Hague Program", aimed at creating a space of freedom, security and justice in the EU member states. The report of the EU Executive Commission is a contribution in the run-up to the informal meeting of Justice and Internal Affairs that is due in Tampere (Finland) on September 20-22. According to the President of the EU Commission, José Manuel Barroso, "the EU and its member states must join in the fight against this challenge and must work harder to fight organised crime and terrorism, as well as to handle migrants and check the borders". The EU Commission highlights how the EU and above all "the member states" are "hugely lagging behind" in this sphere. At the same time, proposals are put forward in seven areas: fundamental rights and citizenship; asylum; handling of immigration; integrated control of borders; mutual recognition (civil and criminal justice); access to necessary information; the future of the Europol. "Through these initiatives specified Barroso, together with the commissioner concerned, Franco Frattini we mean to respond to the citizens’ concern in an area in which we need Europe to come together more".” “
