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Schengen: Communication Infrastructure for the Schengen Information System SIS environment

2007/0108(CNS)

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Carlos COELHO (EPP-ED, PT) and made some amendments to the proposal on the installation, operation and management of a Communication Infrastructure for the Schengen Information System (SIS) environment. Parliament stated that, whilst the costs of installing, operating and managing the Communication Infrastructure shall be borne by the general budget of the EU, each Member State will be responsible for bearing the costs incurred by the national database and the costs of its connection to the SIS or s-Testa communication infrastructure.

The main amendments are as follows:

- notwithstanding Regulation (EC) No 789/2001 and in order to preserve the coherence and consistency of SIS1+, the Commission should integrate VISION into the new communication network s-Testa and exercise implementing powers;

- the SIS was set up under Title IV of the Schengen Convention. However, following the integration of the Schengen acquis into the Treaties and the allocation of its legal basis, any modification will require a new legal instrument which will have to be adopted in accordance with Article 67(2), indent 2, of the EC Treaty;

- the role of the European Parliament should be strengthened. The report calls for the Council to coordinate Member States' test activities and validate the test results, keeping the Commission and the European Parliament informed. The Commission should adopt the necessary measures (including the adoption of a security plan) relating to the Communication Infrastructure and inform the European Parliament and the Council of the terms of the contract and which national body is the contractor;

- the remainder of the budget established by Council Decision 2000/265/EC at the date set in accordance with the legislation shall be used by the Commission to develop the Communication Infrastructure.

Lastly, the rules of the Financial Regulation have to be respected at all times.