eu-com-schengen-coop

information via established Local Schengen distribution list. All working documents are usually
sent to capitals for instructions and comments. Major part of all Schengen MS also sent brief notes
concerning issues of high importance beforehand and discussed meeting conclusions with their own
hierarchy in embassies (DHoMs and HoMs meetings) and in capitals.
3. State of play
3.1 Application of the Visa Code
The process has been handled relatively smoothly and the system is up and running efficiently. The
Visa Code is implemented with maximum capacity by local consulates. All posts/consuls are well
informed and trained to run local consular offices and apply common visa policies, assess
migration/security risks etc. The communication and coherent cooperation between locally
accredited consulates is well established and the standardisation of practices is ongoing working
process. As a result, Schengen consular posts achieved a very low rate of refusal (3,25%) and
issued in 2013 11 over 62,000 C and D type visas (including 12,640 multiple entry visas). MS are
convinced that in next period the total number of visas and especially multi-entry visas will
continue. The rise and use of outsourcing services could help meet the growing demand.
Mutual efforts were made a.o. to ensure the exchange of information on bad practices: "visa
shopping" by North-Eastern and Southern Asian country students, false proof of employment, false
proof of booking or reservation accommodation. MS paid special attention and deeply analysed
some single cases with particular individuals representing different groups (car buyers, sportsman,
business people, and individuals travelling for medical treatment or tourism purposes).
The LSC in Azerbaijan has an interest to participate in the regional and local training seminars
which could be provided by experts coming from single MS and from specialized EU agencies
(FRONTEX).
Schengen MS consulates continued to collect statistics on asylum seekers since 2010 and are
sharing the opinion, that AZ is posing the risk of illegal migration not like a transit country for third
country nationals, but as country of origin where some citizens are willing to immigrate from
Azerbaijan to Schengen area using illegal ways. According to Eurostat, the total number of asylum
seekers from AZ to EU countries rose last year by 36% and has reached a two decade high.
According to the latest report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), two
neighbouring to Azerbaijan countries (Russia and Iran) are among top 10 (ranking accordingly 2 nd
and 9 th places, and Azerbaijan itself ranks 34 th for the number of asylum seekers in Europe and is
ranked far beyond other CIS, Eastern Partnership and even South Caucasian countries. The most
attractive European countries for asylum seekers from AZ are France, Germany, Sweden and
Norway. MS discussed results of few local surveys clearly indicating the rising intention for
migration due to different reasons (political, socio-economical, personal).
The DG Home experts informed the LSC MS that Visa Code will be modified. Introduced on 1
April, 2014 a Commission proposal was already expected. According to working document, if
changes to Visa Code will be accepted it will facilitate more simple procedures and as a result a
number of visitors from Azerbaijan and other countries will increase. MS are convinced that local
consular offices already meet all major requirements mentioned in the Commission proposal
(average time of visa processing is already less than 10 days, MS representing non-resident MS
etc).
The LSC in Azerbaijan discussed specific problems related to the implementation of the Visa Code.
Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland and Norway were the most frequent interlocutors, as they
have the largest number of visas issued in the host country. In addition, exchange of information
took place a.o. on issues such as visa statistics (how to showcase number of different multi-entry
11 January-December 2013
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DG D 1 A
EN