eu-com-schengen-coop

30 May 2014
LOCAL SCHENGEN COOPERATION (LSC) MOZAMBIQUE
2013-2014 REPORT 68
1. Introduction
The Local Schengen Cooperation Group continued to meet and perform the local tasks, with
emphasis on the work towards finalising a harmonised list of documents supporting a visa
application. The Brussels Visa Committee comments were taken on board and a revised draft was
finally approved by the Committee in December. In order for the process to be finalised, the
adoption of an EU Commission draft implementing decision is awaited.
The VIS system went live in June 2013 and it was launched at an information and awareness raising
campaign at the C-G of PT in close cooperation with the EU Delegation and with the presence of
the consular corps of European Union Embassies in Maputo. A common approach towards the
Mozambican authorities and civil society was followed and the implementation has proceeded
smoothly.
Schengen MS issued almost 12 thousand visas in Mozambique in the year 2013. DK, DE, ES, FR,
IT, NL, PT, FI, NO are the 9 Schengen visa collecting/issuing MS present in Maputo, as, since 15
April 2013, CH consular and visa services were transferred to Pretoria Regional Consular Centre.
Beyond Maputo, only PT has a visa issuing consular representation in one location outside the
capital (Beira, Sofala province).
2. LSC meetings held in 2013-2014
The LSC had one meeting in the reporting period (10 April), in line with MS wishes and in order to
continue carrying out the local LSC tasks. The meeting was well attended, counting with the
presence of 5 of the 10 visa issuing Schengen MS, as well as an additional EU Schengen MS
(locally represented by one of the 10 referred Schengen MS). It was chaired by the EU Delegation,
also responsible for drawing up the meeting report, duly approved by MS and sent to Brussels and
MS capitals.
Between meetings, LSC coordination and exchange of information (including with the Consulate-
General of Portugal in Beira) was ensured by e-mail exchanges.
3. State of play
3.1 Application of the Visa Code
The EU Delegation is chairing the LSC since June 2012, working closely with MS and with the full
support and cooperation from the European Commission (DG Home). There is an active
coordination and cooperation among MS in order to ensure a harmonised application of the Visa
Code. This means a useful exchange of information, which in some cases could be improved,
regarding monthly statistics on different types of visas issued, as well as refusals. During the LSC
meetings, there is an active debate on other relevant issues concerning migratory and/or security
68 April 2013 – March 2014.
12893/14 PR/lm 125
DG D 1 A
EN