EC/Iceland/Liechtenstein/Norway/Switzerland arrangement: participation in implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis
PURPOSE: to conclude the Arrangement between the European Community and Iceland, Liechtenstein, 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.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2012/193/EU on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of 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.
BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2012/192/EU, and subject to its conclusion at a later date, the 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 (the Arrangement) has been signed on behalf of the European Union on 22 September 2011.
That Arrangement should now be concluded on behalf of the EU.
CONTENT: with this Decision, the Council concludes, with the approval of Parliament, the Arrangement and the Joint Declaration attached thereto.
A single Arrangement: the Decision provides for the conclusion of a single Arrangement concerning the participation by the Associated States in the work of the Schengen Comitology committees to ensure consistency between and equal treatment of all Associated States.
Main provisions of the Arrangement:
Status of Associated States: the Associated States will be associated as observers with the work of the current and future Comitology committees assisting the Commission in Schengen matters. The list of the Schengen Comitology committees will be regularly updated by the Commission and will be published in the Official Journal;
Rights and obligations: a series of clear rights and obligations are established to ensure effective participation by the Associated States in the Schengen Comitology committees.
Transparency and votes: the representatives of the Associated States receive all relevant meeting documents when the meeting of the committee is convened, and they may comment on a proposed measure constituting a development of the Schengen acquis or voice any problems encountered in applying these measures. They will not take part in the voting of these committees. The Commission will inform the Associated States of the acts and measures constituting a development of the Schengen acquis.
Financial contribution: a financial contribution shall be made from the Associated States to the administrative expenses resulting from their participation in the Schengen Comitology committees. The Associated States shall make an annual contribution to the general budget of the European Communities amounting to EUR 500 000, in accordance with the percentage of the gross domestic product of their countries.)
Territorial provisions: the Decision does not prejudice the position of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark under the Protocol on the Schengen acquis integrated into the framework of the European Union annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and other relevant legal instruments.
Declaration: lastly, the Arrangement includes a Joint declaration which underlines that this specific association shall not be regarded as a legal or political precedent for any other field of cooperation between the European Community and those countries.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 13.04.2012.