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EU/Liechtenstein Agreement: supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa

2016/0247(NLE)

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&D, AT) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Agreement between the European Union and the Principality of Liechtenstein on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa, as part of the Internal Security Fund for the period 2014 to 2020.

The committee recommended the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

In the short justification accompanying the report, it is recalled that the Internal Security Fund, the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa (ISF Borders and Visa) established by Regulation (EU) 515/2014, aims to ensure a high level of security in the Union while facilitating legitimate travel, through a uniform and high level of control of the external border and the effective processing of Schengen visas. The funding is around EUR 2.8 billion up to 2020.

Regulation (EU) 515/2014 stipulates that the countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis participate in the instrument in accordance with its provisions and that arrangements are to be concluded on their financial contributions and the supplementary rules necessary for such participation.

This proposal, the draft Agreement with Liechtenstein, is to establish exactly those arrangements, to enable the Commission to assume responsibility for the implementation of the budget of the instrument in this associated country and to determine Liechtenstein’s contribution to the Union budget in respect of this instrument (around EUR 200 000 per year).

The rapporteur supported this proposal which will serve to accomplish a key objective of the Schengen acquis, namely to share responsibility for an efficient, high and uniform level of control at the external borders, in compliance with the Union’s commitment to fundamental freedoms and human rights.