Controls at borders: exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents

OBJECTIVE: to combat counterfeit travel documents via an improved exchange of information between Member States. CONTENT: in order to curb the present trend towards massive forgery of travel documents using new scanning or copying techniques and combat illegal immigration more effectively, the draft joint action, which is based on Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, proposes a series of measures to improve strategies in the fight against forgery. Member States are therefore called on to use certain methods for detecting false documents, such as particular regard to the serial number of travel documents or interrogation of illegal immigrants who have used forged documents using a standard questionnaire. They are also requested to implement a unit responsible for detecting forged travel documents and to strengthen the exchange of information in this area. This information shall not include personal data. The information exchanged will be transmitted by means of a standard form, the form and contents of which will be determined by the FADO (False Documents Working Party) recently set up by the Council. This information will be exchanged without delay, directly between Member States? central units.�