Madeline case sparks new abduction alert system
A Europe-wide alert system for missing children is to be set up in the wake of the Madeleine McCann saga.
EU countries agreed today to create continent-wide coverage by linking their national networks.
Home Affairs ministers agreed at a meeting in Lisbon to adopt a fast-track approach because bringing in new laws to create a wholly new alert system could take years.
Instead countries will work toward integrating their current national networks.
Portugal, France and Greece already have systems in place, he said, and other member states were preparing theirs.
Portugal, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency pushed for the new system after police there faced criticism over the speed of their initial response to Madeleine's disappearance including questions over how quickly it sealed borders and alerted ports and airports.
The scheme is based on the "Amber Alert" system in the United States.
Portuguese Justice Minister Alberto Costa said cross-border alerts would not be automatic but would be triggered if it was thought there was a risk of a child being taken to another country.
"We need a flexible, rapid-response system" that triggers swift co-ordination, he said.
He said a planned EU justice portal would include a list of missing children and information about them. Also, mass media, cell phone messages and electronic highway signs would be used to spread information.
