Debate in Parliament

B6-0010/2009

B6-0011/2009

The Council adopted the following conclusions as regards the operation of SIS II .

On the basis of a note presented by the Czech Presidency as set out in document 6067/09 , the Council reaffirmed that the rapid entry into operation of SIS II remains an absolute priority .

Taking note of the status of the current SIS II project, the Council notes that a number of problems persist. On the other hand, the Commission considers that all outstanding issues can be resolved without a major re- design of the SIS II application.

Overall, the Council endorses the implementation of a SIS II analysis and repair plan allowing the identification of all issues and their immediate solution, as well as the evaluation of the technical architecture, so as to ensure a stable and flawless SIS II system.

It also requests that as soon as possible, but at the latest by May 2009 , a report containing an in-depth assessment and comparison of both scenarios, in the light of the criteria set out in the Annex, be submitted to the Council by the Presidency and the Commission.

It resolves, as soon as possible, but at the latest at its meeting on 4-5 June 2009 to the present Council Conclusions, inter alia:

the calendar for entry into operation of SIS II, the calendar for integrating Ireland, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Liechtenstein into the SIS, assuming that all requirements are fulfilled, budgetary impacts and technical soundness, possible legal implications, to assess the progress made on SIS II development, to examine in case of the alternative scenario, the ability to realise the objectives of SIS II set out in the legal framework governing the establishment, operation and use of SIS II, on the technical basis of SIS 1 + evolution, to set out a technical solution which would allow the participation in the SIS of additional countries in accordance with their declared calendar and to decide on the further direction of this project.

It urges the Commission and Member States to cooperate fully in order to achieve these common goals.

It invites the Commission to fully inform the European Parliament and the Council on a regular basis about the expenditure figures related to the central SIS II project and the measures taken to ensure the complete financial transparency. The Council also invites the Presidency and the Commission to fully inform the European Parliament about the problems related to SIS II and the way forward.