Workshop on Visa and Schengen Information Systems

On 6 June 2017, on the initiative of the SCMI Secretariat, a workshop was held focused on the implementation aspects of the regulations on EU Visa Information System (VIS) and the Schengen Information System (SIS) II generation.

The workshop was led by the experts from Slovenian Foreign and Interior Ministries. The Foreign Ministry representative presented the main characteristics of the EU Visa Information System; described how data is entered and used by Member States, and discussed the technical and legal aspects of the management of the system.

The representative of the Interior Ministry talked about the II generation of the Schengen Information System (SIS); namely, on the mechanisms of data processing and exchange. The expert has also informed participants on the purpose and future functions of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) expected to be fully operational from 2020 and covering third country nationals benefiting from the visa-free travel to Schengen area.

The representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Interior and Foreign Ministries, and the State Security Service of Georgia participated in the workshop, which was held in the framework of the ENIGMMA project implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).