16/06/2021 (Agence Europe) – The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) has twice adopted – by 54 votes to 13 with 1 abstention – the substantive changes to the Visa Information System (VIS), as well as those changes aimed at ensuring interoperability with other European databases. An interinstitutional agreement was reached on 9 December (see EUROPE 12618/17) and the Council of the EU adopted its position at first reading on 27 May. Under the new rules, the VIS will not only include information on short-stay visas, as before, but will also cover long-stay visas and residence permits, as these documents allow free movement within the Schengen area. (SP)