EC/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway/Switzerland arrangement: participation in implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis

PURPOSE: to conclude an Arrangement between the European Union and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland on the participation by those States in the work of the committees which assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers as regards the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: following the authorisation given to the European Commission, negotiations with the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the Swiss Confederation regarding the participation by those States in the work of the committees which assist the Commission in the exercise of its executive powers as regards the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis have been concluded.

According to a Council Decision and pending its final conclusion at a later date, the Arrangement has been signed on behalf of the European Union.

It is now appropriate to conclude the Arrangement on behalf of the EU.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.  

LEGAL BASIS: Articles 74, 77 and 79 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under the proposed Decision, the Arrangement between the European Union and the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the Swiss Confederation on the participation by those States in the work of the committees which assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers as regards the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the Arrangement and the Joint Declaration are attached to this Decision. For further details concerning the Arrangement, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 30/10/2009.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.