Brussels, 21/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 20 October, MEPs adopted two consultation reports by Carlos Coelho (EPP, Portugal) on setting up a mechanism to monitor closely the application of the Schengen acquis, and the operation of its databases (SIS, VIS, Schengen Borders Code and Code on Visas). Although the two reports closely resemble the proposals from the European Commission which aimed to make monitoring Schengen more effective, and ensure transparent, effective and coherent application of the Schengen acquis, MEPs, nevertheless, rejected the two Commission proposals and returned the texts to the Parliamentary committee. MEPs believe that, as soon as the Lisbon Treaty comes into effect, approval of the two proposals will be through the co-decision procedure. They, therefore, call on the Commission to withdraw the two texts and to submit new texts improved in substance, with a view to their adoption by co-decision. To safeguard the Schengen acquis, it is essential to ensure the transparency and effectiveness of the application of the agreement, Coelho said in the debate the previous day, acknowledging that the Commission had brought improvements to the texts, though with only one real innovation - the possibility of organising unannounced visits to check how the Schengen mechanisms were working. He regretted, however, that the EP was being “distanced from the process as a whole” and called for co-decision to be applied. The EP “carries a certain weight” and must be allowed to play its full role, Coelho argued, calling on Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot to bring forward new proposals. Barrot said that he agreed that the European Parliament had to be fully involved in monitoring Schengen, but he was unable to give any assurances on co-decision. He said that he “still supported the European Parliament's being a co-legislator on most issues,” but that the current treaty made no provision for this. He added that what was being proposed was the Communitisation of the current mechanism, with a stronger role for the Commission. He pointed out that this stronger role was challenged in the Council, with which negotiations were difficult. However, “it is to be hoped that the Lisbon Treaty will be ratified, it will be possible to re-open the matter and the Commission will decide the legal basis with the greatest possible involvement of Parliament”. His words did not sway MEPs: the debate revealed a large majority in favour of the rapporteur's position, and for the withdraw of a proposal which, some said, gave too much power to the Commission and did not place enough responsibility on member states: it is a matter of the states' security, said Véronique Mathieu (EPP, France). (B.C./L.G./transl.rt)