Brussels, 19/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - European Justice, Security and Freedom Commissioner Jacques Barrot was quite positive about the future of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II). “The latest tests have been quite positive, and the new system's technical architecture seems to be fine, so we will hold a discussion at the Council of Schengen Area Justice Ministers on 4-5 June, in the hope of reach a decision by the end of the year,” he said in an interview with Swiss daily Le Temps on 19 May. These comments are in contrast to those of the German and Austrian delegations, which said only last month that the Commission “could not” meet the deadline set (it was planned that SIS II should be launched in September 2009), nor “tell the truth” on the reality of the situation, said a diplomatic source. During his interview, Barrot also criticised the frequent controls on travellers by border guards on Swiss trains. “The Schengen Agreements allow member states to carry out one-off spot identity checks for various public order reasons, such as suspicion of drug trafficking,” he stated, going on, “However, there is no question that such controls should become regular and systematic. If such is the case, then these practices by the police are not in line with the spirit of Schengen and could become a real problem”. He repeated: “There can be controls, but there has to be an explicit reason for them. There is no point in getting rid of borders only to increase the number of identity checks inside the Schengen area”. In the context of the free movement of workers, the Swiss Federal Council is currently looking at the possibility of activating the safeguard clause since, for long stay permits, the quotas of EU nationals have been exceeded. This measure would affect residence authorisations B for the nationals of the 15 old member states of the EU, plus Cyprus and Malta. “Use of the safeguard clause is possible. It would not be against our agreements. But I see in it a very regrettable political signal,” Barrot said, arguing that it would be a pity that the image of a Switzerland open to the European Union would be thus dented. (B.C./transl.rt)