Luxembourg, 05/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - The setting in place of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) may be complete by June 2008, thus allowing internal border controls to be lifted by the end of that year, said Franco Frattini, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. “We shall make the SIS II operational from June 2008”, he said after a meeting with the EU home ministers in Luxembourg.
Given the fact that the setting in place of SIS II is an essential condition for participation by the new Member States (plus Switzerland) in a security area without internal borders, respect of this new timetable would imply that enlargement of the Schengen Area can only come about end 2008. SIS II was initially to become operational in March 2007 and allow internal border controls to be lifted in October. Mr Frattini said he was “aware” of the problems caused by this additional delay and was willing to take measures to satisfy the States that are displeased, especially by co-funding up to 75% (instead of 50%) the establishment of SIS II. Frattini nonetheless went on to add that keeping to the new timetable will depend on the willingness of the States themselves. The Commissioner recalled that the need to make SIS II operational was not enough for lifting borders as Member States must also show their capacity to tie in with the system. If everything goes well, enlargement could even come about from October 2008, a diplomatic source told EUROPE, saying that it will take between two and three months to assess the effective establishment of SIS II in each Member State. During the JHA Council in December, the Presidency is due to publish a timetable showing all the stages of SIS II implementation. Ministers also discussed the possibility of using “SIS I for all” in order to cover the transitional period leading to SIS II (EUROPE 9279). Mr Frattini nonetheless said that “SIS I for all” must not paralyse the SIS II project which, in his opinion, remains a “difficult proposal but worth a go”. In reality, the Commission doubts the capacity of the new States to carry out the two projects, a diplomatic source said, saying that it is for this reason that the Commission will not finance “SIS I for all”. A report concerning this project will also be presented to ministers in December. (bc)