SESSION OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2001

European Judicial Area / SIS II

Karamanou (PSE). – Mr. President, as is known, the current Schengen Information System has been operating since 1995, but it became a Community instrument in 1999, as a result of the incorporation of the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union through the Amsterdam Treaty. Its community identity, therefore, implies that any proposed replacement must be bound by the same legal provisions governing its establishment and operation, and any extension of its operational purpose must be subject to full democratic oversight by the competent bodies, as previous colleagues have also mentioned.

The current events, with the need for additional measures for the security of citizens, and the corresponding inadequacy of the current information system should not become a potential ground for arbitrary deviations and expansions of its powers. It is necessary for the proposed legal framework to clarify certain critical issues.

In order to ensure the protection of individuals against the processing of personal data, the involvement of the Joint Supervisory Authority established by the Schengen Agreement is required. This authority is tasked with preparing an annual report on the functioning of the existing system, which must now include a systematic assessment and analysis of the new data that will be generated with the development of the new system. At the same time, the European Parliament should intensify its efforts for effective oversight of the new functions of the system, requiring regular updates on the progress being made. It should be emphasized that regarding the further implementation of the Schengen Agreement, the Council has only informed the European Parliament once, resulting in the latter not being aware of issues directly related to the free and unobstructed movement of citizens and the manner of border control within the Union.

Finally, it should be noted the need to establish a community information system, which would consist of a unified electronic network, in order to facilitate the transparent storage, management, and evaluation of data.