Luxemburg, 02/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, Commissioner Franco Frattini officially presented to the JHA Council his draft regulation amending common consular instructions in order to introduce biometrics (finger prints) on visas. This proposal should facilitate the procedure for delivering visas, prevent “visa shopping” and improve external EU border control by combating fraud. Inside the EU, the proposal should also have an impact on the identification and return of illegal immigrants and on the prevention of threats to the internal security of Member States. The Commissioner's proposal also includes various options allowing Member States to receive and deal with visa requests thanks to common consulates. This should avoid the need for each Member State to install the necessary equipment to read biometric data, and make financial savings. Mr Frattini said that, during the next Council in July, he would put forward a list which could include China and some African countries where there was an excessive demand for visas.