Conservative Edward McMillan-Scott and Liberal Democrat Diana Wallis have called on members states to take action following the tragic disappearance of English youngster Madeline McCann.

The pair want the introduction of a special system which would trigger the immediate release of important details about the youngster – including a photograph – information about the disappearance, and a telephone hot-line to media, border authorities and customs officials.

The written declaration has now been formally adopted by the European Parliament after being backed by 418 MEPs.

Mr McMillan Scott said: “We need to encourage Member State governments to take up the mantle. If we can afford to issue severe weather warnings, we can also afford to issue warnings about missing children.”

Mrs Wallis added: “We need to convince all Member States that ad-hoc co-operation is not enough – territorial objections cannot stand in the way of such an initiative either – we need something more systematic and co-ordinated. In cases of child abduction, time is of the essence.”

The signed declaration has now been forwarded to the Commission and the Council.