Press conference by Edward McMillan-Scott, Kate and Gerry McCann on the concept of an EU child alert system.

press conference

rights of the child (T)

MCMILLAN-SCOTT, Edward (ALDE, UK)

international child abduction (T)

McCANN, Gerry (UK)

McCANN, Kate (UK)

Europe-wide missing child alert system: extracts from the press conference with the participation of Kate and Gerry McCANN

SOUNDBITE (English) Kate McCANN, We wish to thank the 226 MEPs who have already put their name to the proposal. Each and every one of them is directly helping to protect children throughout Europe. We also wish to thank the leaders of those key political groups within the parliament with whom we were fortunate enough to be able to meet today.

SOUNDBITE (English) Kate McCANN, Many MEPs told us directly that they will be signing the declaration by the end of the next session. And crucially, they will also be urging many of their political and national colleagues to do the same. As you say, this gives us great confidence that the targets of 393 signatures is achievable.

SOUNDBITE (English) Kate McCANN, We urge every MEP to examine the need for such improved coordination and cooperation. When a child goes missing in an increasingly borderless Europe. The Amber Alert system has recovered hundreds of children in the USA. A system based on the same principles must surely do the same here.

SOUNDBITE (English) David McALLISTER, I think part of the problem, as Kate has said, is the lack of awareness of, first of all, the importance of the missing child alert system in America and here in France and its value in saving lives. And the fact that it costs nothing.

SOUNDBITE (English) David McALLISTER, But there's also sort of declaration fatigue and that people there are now 41 declarations in the European Parliament open for signature. Last year, out of 116, only 41 succeeded in being adopted as a resolution of the European Parliament. So it is a challenge.

SOUNDBITE (English) Gerry McCANN, We didn't abandon and neglect Madeleine, as Kate already said someone went into an apartment and stole a child. That's where the focus is. You can overhaul ground is really quite boring. And we want people to focus on issues which we think can make a difference. And that allowed can make a difference. It can be a deterrent. I can help find missing children. We need cross-border cooperation. .