Visa information system VIS: establishment, information exchange between Member States
This is a progress report on work carried out by the Commission in 2005 on the development of the Visa Information System (VIS). It is the second report presented by the Commission in accordance with Article 6 of Council Decision 2004/512/EC on the development of the VIS.
Progress during the period under review:
- In 2005, the VIS project was in phase 1 of its establishment. Phase 1 refers to the “detailed design” of the VIS , in which all documents needed from a technical point of view, must be delivered.
- The VIS will be situated in Strasbourg. During 2005 two significant outstanding technical difficulties remained regarding site preparations. They were the capacity of the air conditioning system and power supply to the site. The Commission hopes that, by the beginning of 2006, the problems identified will have been resolved.
- The s-Testa network has been identified as the best choice for developing the VIS network. A call for tender has been issued. The timing for the contract for services will not be possible due to difficulties in the award procedure.
- A new reporting mechanism has been devised whereby Member States now provide monthly updates on progress in their national projects within the SIS II Committee framework. In 2005 good progress was made by the Member States. The final, Commission assessment, on the sate of play is: eleven of the participating Member States will be ready on time. Of those eleven, seven will have little time to spare; four Member States will be in time for most of the key targets; four Member States will be able to meet half of the key targets; two Member States cannot meet the majority of the targets sets and four Member States will be unable to meet any of the key targets.
- The migration and integration plans were being finalised in 2005. It is hoped that they will be fully integrated some time in early 2006.
Results expected in December and January 2006:
- The development of the central system should have made significant progress and be nearing completion. Site preparations should be finished and the technical infrastructure installed. The contract for network services should be finalised in early 2006 and the required network connections should be at a more advanced stage. Member States should have made important progress on their respective national projects and be in the final stages of developing their national systems.
Conclusion:
2005 was marked by progress toward the completion of phase 1 deliverables and improved information exchange on the status of national preparations, issues and risks. Over the next reporting period the VIS project should shift one gear higher towards the development and deployment phases. A number of risks have, however, been identified which, should they materialise lead to delays.