European ministers backed an EU-wide alert system for missing children ahead of the bloc's first talks on the plan tomorrow in Lisbon.
Justice and home affairs ministers from the European Union's 27 member countries meet today and tomorrow in the Portuguese capital
Portugal, which holds the rotating EU presidency, has asked ministers to consider a scheme like that in France, involving a media campaign and messages in public places such as stations.
British girl Madeleine McCann's disappearance on May 3rd triggered an international search and high-profile media campaign.
"Clearly we've had this very controversial case here in Portugal in recent weeks, and everything to do with missing children is always of great interest," Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan said, supporting the plan.
Other ministers Mshowed support for the idea ahead of the talks.
"As borders are more and more permeable. We cannot know in case of a kidnapping if people will stay nearby," French Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said. "Having a European system is probably a good response to situations which are very dramatic, as they concern children."
Portugal's justice minister, Alberto Costa, told reporters he hoped for general agreement on an alert system at the meeting but could not say when it was likely to be in place.
He denied the McCann case had prompted Portugal to propose the alert system, saying: "Not at all. There are many cases (of missing children) in the world".