eu-com-schengen-coop

contexts. The WG is now looking at all relevant aspects of dealing with this issue in a coordinated
way.
Joint Schengen state response to questionnaire by MFA Consular Department on visa policy
All Schengen states (but not EUD) received questions from the MFA Consular Department in the
end of 2013 concerning Schengen countries’ respective visa policies. In response, Schengen states
decided to provide one joint answer, which was discussed with DG Home Affairs before it was sent
to the MFA. No response from the MFA has been received.
Approved Destination Status – ADS
Many Schengen states confer with EUD regarding issues relating to travel badges, travel agencies'
authorisations, and before applying sanctions. The EUD circulates sanction proposals to Schengen
states. Normally, sanctions are approved through five days of silence procedure via email
communication between Schengen states. The use of indefinite sanctions was reviewed during the
autumn of 2013, as one Schengen state Consulate in Shanghai wanted to lift an indefinite sanction it
had imposed on a Chinese travel agency two years prior. This was initially disputed by the LSC
group, which warned against diluting indefinite sanctions by lifting them. Eventually, there was
agreement in the LSC group on lifting this particular indefinite sanction and that from then on,
indefinite sanctions could only pass after explicit approval from all Schengen states.
4. Challenges
4.1 Responses to challenges
Introduction of VIS and communication with the MFA Consular Department
Introduction of biometrics in China is still considered a great challenge by Schengen states here.
The crucial problem has so far been the refusal by Chinese authorities to allow for Schengen states
to open visa centres in Chinese cities where a Schengen country has neither Embassy nor Consulate.
Schengen states are also not allowed to employ mobile visa centres as an alternative way of
reaching travellers who have difficulty applying in person. Initially, the MFA explained to the EUD
that there was a temporary ban on such visa centres, while research was ongoing and the UK
model 30 was being evaluated. Surprisingly, in early spring 2014, email requests for visa centre
"wish lists" were sent to the four countries that had been visited by President Xi Jinping in March
(see 3.4), without any information to EUD. Whether this represents a sincere initiative from the
Consular Department to solve the visa centre issue bilaterally or whether it was a single official's
own initiative, is still unclear. Addressing the visa centre issue must also include other stakeholders,
however, such as the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and Provincial authorities. Schengen states
here agree to keep talking to the MFA bilaterally about visa centres, but simultaneously want the
EUD to keep coordinating and monitoring this issue, not least since there is a risk that Schengen
states will be played out against each other unless coordination is in place.
During discussions with Chinese counterparts in Beijing, the MFA Consular Department has
recently indicated concern about the introduction of biometrics before visa waivers for diplomatic
passport holders have been negotiated. This is something Schengen states in Beijing agree can be
used for further discussions with Chinese counterparts on visa centres, even though biometrics is
not part of the package for negotiation within the Migration and Mobility Dialogue.
Chinese financial interest relating to visa issuance
30 UK has a bilateral agreement with China on establishing visa centres in cities where the UK does not have Embassy
or Consulate.
12893/14 PR/lm 61
DG D 1 A
EN