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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
Related to the "ban" on setting up visa centres (above) is the financial interest that Chinese provinces and external visa service providers have in monopolising the outsourcing of visa applications. During the LSC meeting in March 2014, the group had a lengthy exchange of information about outsourcing proposals, especially from companies connected to Foreign Affairs Offices (FAOs) in difference provinces. Tianjin FAO has apparently approached many Embassies in Beijing, saying it can offer services that cannot be obtained another way. Through quick information exchange, Schengen states structured coordinated responses – and refusals – to these approaches. 4.2 Subjects to be addressed within the next reporting period (April 2014- May 2015) VIS roll out The introduction of biometrics will commence in the beginning of 2015. In preparation of that, much coordination among Schengen states and communication with the Chinese MFA and Brussels can be foreseen. Visa waivers and readmission within the Migration and Mobility Dialogue context A technical working group from DG Home Affairs is likely to come to China in the beginning of July 2014, for discussions with the MFA Consular Department and the MPS on the visa waiver and readmission package discussed within the Migration and Mobility Dialogue. Visa Code revision The Visa Code revision proposed by Commissioners Tajani and Malmstrom in the spring of 2014, and its implementation in China, is an issue that may need following up with the MFA, once the proposals pass. Revision of harmonised lists In the next reporting period, it is possible that the LSC China proposal for revisions of the harmonised lists will go through in its totality, if the waiving of hotel and flight reservations is accepted by the Visa Committee in June 2014. Agora The information sharing system Agora needs to be set up in Beijing. The former system CIRCA, replaced by CIRCABC, is not the correct system for EUD information sharing with Schengen states, according to IT in Brussels. EUD attending LSC meetings in Beijing and in the country Once the new HOME / EAC colleague takes up duties in Beijing, it should be possible for EUD to attend LSC meetings in Shanghai and Guangzhou. This would improve communication flow and give EUD important feedback. Furthermore, with the EUD being able to attend different LSC working groups in Beijing, it should be possible to guide discussions in a constructive way. Reporting of Schengen visa statistics LSC agreed to provide EUD with more regular and complete visa statistics for the coming reporting period. This will need following up. 5. Other issues The establishment of a full time position at the EUD for dealing with Visa, Consular and People to People affairs and coordination from July 2014 sends an important signal to Schengen and Member 12893/14 PR/lm 62 DG D 1 A EN
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Council of the European Union Bruss
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SENEGAL* SERBIA SOUTH KOREA SRI LAN
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3.2 Assessment of the need to harmo
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The harmonisation of the list of su
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5 réunions habituelles (en avril,
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4. Challenges in 2014-2015 On local
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2. LSC meetings held in 2013-2014 F
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5. Other issues Kosovo is still con
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La coopération est encouragée et
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UNION EUROPEENNE DELEGATION EN REPU
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EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO MONTEN
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3.4 Any other initiative taken in L
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isks. Therefore, in general terms,
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- Belgium - France - Germany - The
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oader scale changes both in Abuja a
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30 May 2014 LOCAL SCHENGEN COOPERAT
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Ensure that regular meetings of con
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applications for Filipino applicant
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done to discuss how an accredited c
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The Schengen Member States and EUD
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LOCAL SCHENGEN COOPERATION (LSC) in
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As regards the challenges indicated
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The key challenge during the report
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UNION EUROPÉENNE Délégation en R
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EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO THE RE
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LSC Serbia Schengen office 2012 A v
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The possibility to trigger such a '
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Coordination meetings are chaired b
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from the US Foreign Service Institu
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The EU Delegations main role in the
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LOCAL SCHENGEN COOPERATION (LSC) in
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European Economic and Trade Office
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that as a reciprocity measure the E
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From 2013 on Schengen states' citiz
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Republic. In at least one instance
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September 2013. Because of the larg
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The participation of Bulgaria, Roma
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LSC exchanged information on the co
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% Multiple entry % refusal rate 201
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3.2. Exchange of information on the
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Early 2013 the Yammer tool for exch
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provide solutions for approval by t
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EUDEL has also been regularly updat
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3. State of play 3.1 Application of
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Annex 1: Representation arrangement
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2. LSC meetings in 2013-2014 Three
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EUROPEAN UNION Office of the Europe
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Due to difficulties in harmonising
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3.4 Any other initiative taken in L
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