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Consular help for all EU Nationals
07 May 2011
Not all Europeans and consular officials are aware of the EU dimension of consular protection. The European Commission has, for the first time, put forward a Communication on consular protection in third countries to take stock of the EU's contribution to effective consular protection in third countries and to present the way forward based on the experience gained and the renewed institutional framework.
Under EU law, all Member States must provide the same help to citizens without representation in non- Member States as they would to their own nationals. Emergencies might be rare, but the right to such consular assistance abroad is also available for more common problems such as stolen passports, serious accidents and illness.
Recent crises around the world have seen many persons not knowing where to turn to for diplomatic support. The EU wants to make its citizens aware of their right to turn to any Member State's consulate or embassy for protection or help should their own nation not be represented in the country where they happen to be.
The Commission will submit legal proposals within the next 12 months to improve the legal certainty regarding the scope, conditions and procedures related to consular protection and optimise the use of resources, including in time of crisis; and establish the coordination and cooperation measures necessary to facilitate day-to-day consular protection in crisis situations.
Source: MEUSAC News
