9TH REPORT: SCHENGEN INFORMATION SYSTEM
(SIS II)
Letter from Franco Frattini, Vice-President
of the European Committee to the Chairman
Thank you for sending me a copy of the report
of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union on
the SIS II which reflects the detailed attention that the Sub-Committee
on Home Affairs has paid to the developmenof the SIS II.
I note with particular interest the conclusions
of the Sub-Committee as to the value of the SIS II in terms of
combating serious cross-border crime. The fundamental purpose
underlying the development of the SIS II by the Commission is
to provide for a higher level of security in an area without internal
borders. The SIS II, therefore, will function as an improved support
in the fight against serious crime and terrorism while at the
same time better facilitating border control and freedom of movement
within the Schengen area.
You highlight as an issue of particular interest
the possibility of enabling UK authorities to access certain immigration
data which will be stored in the SIS II to which they will not
have access given that the UK participates only to a limited extent
in the Schengen acquis.
The current partial participation of the UK
in Schengen is, of course, a matter of sovereign decision for
the UK. However, I would point out that the full application by
the UK of the Schengen acquis, which would include access
to SIS immigration data, is the most straightforward way to guarantee
such access. This would be of benefit to both the UK and the other
Member States of the EU. Not only would the UK draw the maximum
benefit for its own and other EU citizens in terms of free movement,
but it would also be readily able to draw on the exchange of important
information in supporting border controls and in counteracting
potential threats to public or national security.
29 March 2007
Letter from Margot Wallstrom, Vice-President
of the European Commission to the Chairman
Thank you for sending to the Commission the
report of the EU Committee of the House of Lords on SIS which
was published in March. It provides us with very valuable input
to identify issues which are especially important for the United
Kingdom in this field.
You ask in particular about the technical feasibility
of differentiating between alerts on "unwanted aliens"
for public policy, public security and national security purposes
and those based solely on immigration. SIS II is not designed
to make such a technical division within the alert category of
refusing entry and the current technical specifications of the
Central SIS II, which should be tested soon, do not provide for
such a division either.
The Commission can implement technical solutions
in the Central SIS II only when they are fully compliant with
the rules establishing SIS II and those on the position of the
UK's participation in the Schengen acquis as well.
In this context, I would refer to the letter
sent by Jonathan Faull to the Committee on 15 December 2006 which
provides its Members with further information regarding the access
of UK authorities to SIS "immigration" data. Accordingly,
if the UK wants to enlarge its access to SIS data, it should consider
participating fully in the Community acquis related to
the creation of an area without internal border controls. The
full application of Schengen acquis, which includes access
to SIS data for the control of extemal borders or the issuing
of visas, would benefit both the rest of the EU and the UK.
26 June 2007
| 
