The Convention seeks common rules on Immigration and Asylum Policy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Apr 2003

Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East of England, will participate in the Convention on the Future of Europe taking place today Thursday 3 April.

The main issue to be debated by the Convention, under the chairmanship of former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, will be the EU's area of security, freedom and justice. The Convention will be debating ways of developing common immigration and asylum rules as well as a high level of access to justice throughout the Union for all citizens.

The Convention will also examine EU's budget process in order to simplify and streamline the procedure.

Andrew Duff, who is the European Liberal Democrat representative on the Convention (and one of the six British members), said that:

"The necessity of developing a real area of security, freedom and justice has been further accentuated since September 11. Security and justice runs to the heart of many citizens' preoccupations. The European Union must have the power to take real action in this area thereby ensuring common rules for entry and residence.