Written question asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch (Conservative Independent), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Ashton of Upholland (Labour) on Thursday, 2 November 2006.

EU: Charter of Fundamental Rights

Question: What is the current situation as regards the proposed European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights and its relevant agency in Vienna.

Answer: The charter of fundamental rights and freedoms signed in Nice on 7 December 2000 is a political declaration by the member states of the European Union. The Government expect that the separate Commission proposal to establish a European Union fundamental rights agency in Vienna as an extension of the mandate of the existing European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia will be submitted to the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 4 and 5 December 2006.

Secondary information