eu-com-schengen-coop

3.2 Assessment of the need to harmonise the lists of supporting documents
At the last LSC meeting on 1 April 2014, Member States agreed to start working towards on an
harmonisation of practices. A proposed list of harmonised supporting documents will tentatively be
submitted to the Visa Committee in June.
3.3 Exchange of information
The limited communication between the Schengen visa issuing offices, notably as regards
fraudulent and rejected cases, continues to be a challenge. It seems that the Visa Information
System is not used adequately by some Schengen States in Yemen. The organisation of a LSC
seminar at regional level could possibly contribute to addressing this issue, whilst giving an
opportunity to create links and increase coordination with non-resident Schengen States.
3.4 Any other initiative taken in LSC
LSC and Consular meetings address broader issues than LSC, in particular consular protection and
abductions.
4. Challenges
1. Response to challenges listed in the 2012-2013 report
As expected, the number of applications increased dramatically over the past year, which resulted in
longer waiting times in two out of the three Schengen Visa issuing offices. Despite a 36% increase
of applications over the past year, one Consulate managed to keep waiting times very low by
following a systematic approach, which should be taken as an example while preparing the
harmonised list of supporting documents.
With only three Schengen States issuing visas in Yemen, the risk of "visa shopping" remains very
high.
2. Subjects to be addressed within the next reporting period (2014-2015)
Member States share the view that the establishment of a common Schengen visa office would be
very useful in Yemen in order to limit the risk of "visa shopping" and ensure business continuity in
the current security environment.
5. Other issues
None.
12893/14 PR/lm 205
DG D 1 A
EN