Lisbon, 01/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - The vice president of the European Commission, Franco Frattini, announced on Monday 1st October that he intended to propose a series of initiatives next February. This will take the form of a communication on improving the security of the EU's external borders through new technology. This raft of measures will initially include an assessment of both the work undertaken as well as the shortcomings experienced by the European Border Agency (Frontex), which, since 1st May 2005, has been carrying out its responsibilities. The Commission will also look at ways for further developing the European border surveillance system (Eurosur). The issue of creating an entry-exit system in European territory (based on the system being set up in the US) will also be discussed. This system will provide information about people staying in the EU beyond the permitted period (three months for a third country national who does not have a visa). Implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorisation - ETA) currently being implemented by Australia and soon required by the US, will also be part of the potential initiatives, as is the traveller registration programme, which uses iris scan technologies to help travellers travel more easily in airports. Fostering synergies between the Second Generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) and the information system on visas (VIS) will also be part of the suggestions, as well as the proposal to enable law enforcement agencies access to EU data bases for comparing asylum seekers and illegal immigrants' finger prints (Eurodac). (bc)