Airport transit arrangements

In adopting the report by Mr Klaus-Heiner LEHNE (PPE, D) on airport transit arrangements, Parliament took the view that the joint action should be replaced by a Regulation within six months after the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty. It qualified the Council's statements regarding illegal entry into Community territory by third- country nationals by air. It considered that, in implementing the draft joint action, account should be taken of the provisions of the Geneva Convention and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In Parliament's opinion, the conditions for issuing airport transit visas should be determined jointly by the Member States. It took the view that the transit visa requirement should not impede the airport transit of persons entitled to refugee status. More information should be provided to Parliament concerning the measures taken by the Council to implement the draft joint action.�