European Parliament
Santini (PPE-DE ),
rapporteur.
(IT)
Mr President, I would like to thank all those who are going to support the conclusion at first reading of the debate on a regulation that we hope will be able to enter into force on 1 January 2004, as planned.
I would like to thank the draftsperson, Mrs Sauquillo, the Commission, the Council and all those who will accept my compromise amendments and thus allow the report to be adopted today, just in time to ensure that the regulation enters into force on 1 January next year. This is an extremely innovative report which, for the first time, gives Community resources to third countries so that they can help us to combat illegal immigration in their territory.

