European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

The European Parliament adopted by 546 votes to 69, with 79 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.

Parliament gave its consent to the proposal for a Council Regulation.

The Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) provides information, assistance and expertise on fundamental rights issues and promotes and protects fundamental rights in the EU.

The amendment to the scope simply reflects the consequence of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty for the scope of the Agency’s activities, which became ‘Union law’ instead of ‘Community law’, and therefore encompasses the area of police cooperation and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (the former so-called “third pillar” of the European Union).

All the other amendments proposed are to align the founding Regulation with the Common Approach and with the Framework Financial Regulation, in order to enhance the efficiency, relevance and governance of the Agency.