eu-com-schengen-coop

service providers and b) transport companies, while c) an assessment on the use of CIRCABC LSC-
India database (given the human resources investment it entails) and/or on that of the pro-active
timely electronic exchange currently in use to further streamline EUD and visa offices working
methods d) the possible translation, with the collaboration of local Universities, of the visa
application form in the other official language(s) of India, to be used in locations outside the capital.
Carrying out the diversified tasks mentioned above, meeting MS expectations, proactively and in all
their political implication at the 2012-13 level, will mainly depend, also in 2014-15 on the
availability of human resources within the EUD 61 to be devoted to the LSC dossier.
5. Other issues
For its implications and impact on the smooth functioning of the LSC-India, it is to be mentioned
that in the reporting period, another EU MS working group, the Local Migration Group (LMG)
chaired by the EUD also took place regularly. During the LMG meetings, EU MS addressed longstay
visas issues, granting a continuous follow-up to EU-India High Level Dialogue on Migration
and Mobility, in its "migration" chapter, while the LSC group contributed to "mobility" one. The
sheer existence of such parallel intra-EU coordination platform proved particularly beneficial for
LSC interactions, as they remained focused exclusively on local Schengen harmonisation, while MS
channelled and exchanged information on migration trends, patterns and challenges (also foreseen
in the Visa Code) in another venue.
In continuity with the previous reporting period, in 2013-14 MS were constantly informed on EUfunded
projects carried out in India, under the thematic programme of development cooperation in
the areas of Migration & Asylum. In June 2013 MS participated in a Workshop on "Student
Mobility and Knowledge-based Economies: Opportunities and Challenges for India and the EU",
while in October they took part in the Final Conference “India-EU Migration and Mobility:
Prospects and Challenges”, both organised by the India Centre for Migration (ICM), under the
auspices of the EUD, in the framework of the EU-funded project "Developing a Knowledgebase for
Policy Making on India-EU Migration". These events highlighted the importance both parts place
on their wish/will to further facilitate legitimate travellers on a reciprocal basis.
Furthermore, a Draft Joint Declaration on a bilateral "Common Agenda on Migration and
Mobility", was submitted to the Indian authorities in April 2013. It should be noted that this was the
first of its kind. Following this development, MS contributed inputs to further assess the short-stay
visa situation in India providing food for thought to the "mobility" leg of the EU-India High Level
Dialogue on Migration and Mobility, particularly focusing, on one hand, on the widespread use of
false, counterfeit or forged documents and, on the other, on the need to increase the focus on
mobility issues and on a reciprocal treatment in all bilateral interactions.
Moreover, the LSC-New Delhi provided, both at EUD and MS level, expertise to the consultancy
firm in charge of the "India" chapter of the impact assessment study (commissioned in view of EU
visa policy revision), which thus resulted accurate and rigorous. The firm conveyed its appreciation
for this assistance.
***
61 Currently only an EEAS staff works part-time on LSC, covering its technical and political facets and, mainly, its dayto-day
implementation. With increasing expectations and a more substantive roadmap for LSC implementation, a lack
of further engagement of human resources could tantamount to an additional systemic challenge for the LSC-India in
the next reporting period.
12893/14 PR/lm 97
DG D 1 A
EN