The Belgian Presidency provided the Council with information the draft directive on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State.
Concerning the work in the European Parliament, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) both adopted opinions on this issue.
The Presidency has conducted informal contacts with the European Parliament and reviewed its report to the Council. However, following these contacts, the Presidency had to conclude that the positions of the Council and the EP remained opposed on some essential points and that a first reading agreement was difficult to envisage. The Parliament is expected to proceed to a vote on the proposal at its plenary session in December 2010. It will then be up to the Council to revisit the amended text and decide on the follow-up.