Brussels, 16/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 16 June, the European Parliament civil liberties committee (LIBE) adopted, by a majority of 43 votes to three, with one abstention, the draft report by Carlos Coelho (EPP, Portugal) on the creation of an Agency for the operational management of large-scale information technology (IT) systems in the area of freedom, security and justice, after political agreement was reached among home affairs ministers in Luxembourg on 9 June.
The proposal seeks to establish a European Agency, to be based in Tallinn (Estonia) responsible for the management of the various existing information systems, such as the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), the Visa Information System (VIS), EURODAC (the database containing the fingerprints of asylum seekers - it facilitates the application of the Dublin II Regulation, which makes it possible to determine the member state responsible for examining an asylum application). It will take charge of all future instruments of this kind in the field of home affairs.
According to a press release from Coelho, improvements were brought to the text in terms of security and data protection; the role of the European Parliament “has been reinforced, as well as transparency”. The new agency is due to begin its operations at the start of summer 2012. The Coelho report will be put to the vote in plenary session in Strasbourg in July. (S.P./transl.rt)