Brussels, 08/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - After long months of negotiation, the European Parliament has finally approved the setting in place of the Visa Information System (VIS) for the creation of a huge database allowing information to be exchanged between member states with respect to visas granted for short-stay stays and requests for visas made by third country nationals seeking to enter the Schengen Area. Back in May this year, the EP civil liberties committee had given its opinion on this proposal for a regulation, which is the result of a co-decision agreement with the Council at first reading (EUROPE 9428). Adoption was possible thanks to the compromise reached on another major proposal relating to data protection under the third pillar (EUROPE 9441). “The agreement I have reached with the German presidency is sound and balanced. I am confident we have built the legal framework for a visa system which will increase EU border security but also facilitate travel and ensure respect for individual rights”, said Baroness Sarah Ludford (ALDE, UK), who is rapporteur on the text. Ms Ludford had already made it known that the Parliament would closely follow VIS implementation, as well as the proposals that should be associated to it in the future. Michael Cashman, British Socialist, said: “Technologies such as biometrics can and will improve our security without infringing on our civil liberties if properly and appropriately used. We must embrace this technology rather than shy away from it”. The text underlines the fact that biometric data will be used under regulated conditions, with the addition of a paragraph to ensure that the processing of VIS data will be “proportionate to the objectives” and that “human dignity and integrity of the persons whose data are requested are respected”. MEPs adopted another report by Sarah Ludford concerning a draft decision (consultation) on accessing VIS via Europol and the authorities of member states in the context of criminal investigations or anti-terrorist inquires. Emphasis is once more placed on the requirement for strict compliance with the rules governing the protection of personal data and with the defined access conditions. (bc)