Brussels, 20/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament, sitting on 15 November in Strasbourg, has adopted in a consultation procedure the report of Carlos Coelho (EPP-ED, Portugal) assessing the application of the Schengen acquis to nine new member states. The vote on this report is necessary before lifting the border controls between the Schengen area and nine other member states (Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic). It was adopted by 468 votes for, 21 against and 34 abstentions. The actual lifting of the land and water border controls should take place from 21 December, with controls in international airports lifted from 30 March 2008. The decision to enlarge Schengen in December to nine of the ten states which joined the EU in May 2004 was approved by the ministers on 8 November (EUROPE 9539). The Parliament nonetheless demands that the member states concerned inform it as well as the Council, in writing and within the next six months, on the follow-up they intend to carry out on the recommendations in the report and the necessary changes which have yet to be implemented. Alongside this report, MEPS also approved a resolution on the application of all of the provisions in the Schengen acquis in these member states. In that report, MEPs underscore the “symbolic and historical importance of this event, which brings an end to the former divisions in Europe”. They thereby highlight the urgent need to step up preparations for the launch of the new Schengen information system (SIS II) and congratulate the Portuguese presidency on presenting a transitional technical solution (SiSone4all). Over the next two years, the implementation and functioning of the system and in particular the results, consequences and problems pertaining to its application in each country in the Schengen area will be the subject of a general evaluation. (B.C.)