eu-com-schengen-coop

3.3 Exchange of information
Monthly Statistics
Statistics, in line with requested format, are provided regularly to the EUD on a monthly or
quarterly basis (see attached table). EUD then compiles these statistics into an annual overview.
Some embassies with limited number of applicants provide the information regularly. Others with
more applications per month, such as FR, DE or IT, have to extract the information needed from
their own electronic systems. The process takes time and data are not always readily available. All
however endeavoured (and succeeded) in providing data at regular intervals in I-st quarter of 2014.
Anti-fraud activities
LSC successfully utilise the system of information exchange between MS already for few years.
MS generally act in real-time to inform others of persons holding several passports, visa annulments
and/or migration alerts. Few cases of fraud were reported (FRA) during the reporting period
(falsified supporting documents). This led to more attention being paid to specific applications and
cautious exercised vis-à-vis some supporting documents. Third country nationals (mostly Pakistani
and Bangladeshi students) visited few consulates to find the weakest points in the system, but never
returned back.
Unofficial visits of officials and misuse of ex officio position for issuing Note Verbal were another
topics discussed on LSC meetings. The Consular Department of MFA proposed to accept NV for
official visits only initialled by the Director of Consular Department.
Several approaches are still presented regarding Schengen travel medical insurance (TMI). All MS
required having the TMI valid throughout the period of the visa validity. Austria requested the
special athletic insurance for the sport and sporting events, informing the applicant or whole team
that the specific insurance police provides not only "general and accident medical coverage", which
offers also participant liability referred as additional coverage for injury and/or occurrences for the
camp/event participants/volunteers/spectators as well as coaches and staff. MS reported no
problems in cooperation with the local insurance companies due to the fact that polices in AZ
correspond to the requirements of the Visa Code.
3.4 Any other initiative taken in LSC
Regular meetings with MFA's Consular department
EUD and MS are interested to continue with regular formal or informal meetings with Azerbaijani
MFA Consular Department staff. The regular formal exchange of information between the
Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local consular is not a reality and MS are still willing
to achieve this objective in mid–term.
Observers
LSC cooperation extends to other like-minded nations (Romania, Bulgaria, UK) with regular
meetings and trainings to learn from each other. It has also been helpful for Consuls in their daily
work to obtain information on visas issued or refused from those embassies.
Migration and Mobility partnership
The EU-Azerbaijan Declaration and action plan on Mobility Partnership have been signed in
December 2013. No actions have been initiated in reporting period.
12893/14 PR/lm 22
DG D 1 A
EN