23.12.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 338/1 | (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 61(c) and Article 67(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (%), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (3), Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas: () The European Community has set the objective of creating an area of freedom, security and justice, in which the free movement of persons is ensured. To this end, the Community is to adopt, among others, measures in the field of judicial cooperation in civil matters that are necessary for the proper functioning of the internal market. () The Tampere European Council endorsed the principle of mutual recognition of judicial decisions as the cornerstone for the creation of a genuine judicial area, and identified visiting rights as a priority. (3)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000 (% sets out rules on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility for the children of both spouses rendered on the occasion of the matrimonial proceedings. The content of this Regulation was substantially taken over from the Convention of 28 May 1998 on the same subject matter (°). () OJ C 203 E, 27.8.2002, p. 155. (% Opinion delivered on 20 September 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O] C 61, 14.3.2003, p. 76. () OJ L 160, 30.6.2000, p. 19. (°) At the time of the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000 the Council took note of the explanatory report concerning that Convention prepared by Professor Alegria Borras (O] C 221, 16.7.1998, p. 27). (4 On 3 July 2000 France presented an initiative for a Council Regulation on the mutual enforcement of judgments on rights of access to children (6). (5)  In order to ensure equality for all children, this Regulation  covers all decisions on  parental responsibility, including measures for the protection of the child, independently of any link with a matrimonial proceeding. (6)  Since the application of the rules on parental responsibility often arises in the context of matrimonial proceedings, it is more appropriate to have a single instrument for matters of divorce and parental responsibility. (7)  The scope of this Regulation covers civil matters, whatever the nature of the court or tribunal. (8)  As regards judgments on divorce, legal separation or marriage annulment, this Regulation should apply only to the dissolution of matrimonial ties and should not deal with issues such as the grounds for divorce, property consequences of the marriage or any other ancillary measures. (9)  As regards the property of the child, this Regulation should apply only to measures for the protection of the child, ie. (i) the designation and functions of a person or body having charge of the childs property, representing or assisting the child, and (i) the administration, conservation or disposal of the child’s property. In this context, this Regulation should, for instance, apply in cases where the parents are in dispute as regards the administration of the child’s property. Measures relating to the child’s property which do not concern the protection of the child should continue to be governed by Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 of (°) OJ C 234, 15.8.2000, p. 7.