Member states of the European Union (EU) agreed on Tuesday to share visa information and to allow police and law enforcement authorities to use the data under certain conditions.

 

Justice and home affairs ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday reached a political agreement on the legislative package for the EU's Visa Information System (VIS).

 

The European Parliament adopted the package on June 7.

 

The legally-binding regulation will allow consulates and other competent authorities to use the VIS when processing visa applications and to check visas.

 

The decision will allow police and law enforcement authorities to consult the data under certain conditions that ensure a high level of data protection.

 

European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini, who is in charge of justice, freedom and security affairs, welcomed the adoption of the two documents.

 

"On the one hand, the VIS will offer a new practical tool both for consulates and border checkpoints, which will be the main daily users of the VIS, and for the police and law enforcement communities of the member states, in order to prevent, fight and investigate terrorist offenses as well as other serious crimes. Onthe other hand, bona fide travelers will benefit from the VIS, in particular regarding the issuing of multiple-entry visas," Frattini said.

 

The VIS will store data of up to 70 million people concerning visas for visits to, or transit through, the Schengen Area, said the European Commission, the executive body of the EU.

 

The data will include the applicant's photograph and 10 fingerprints. The VIS will become the largest 10-fingerprint system in the world. Once fully operational, the VIS will be connected to all visa-issuing consulates of the Schengen states and to all their external border crossing points.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2007)