Schengen: migration from the Schengen Information System (SIS 1+) to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II). Decision

The Council took note of a report on the development of the SIS II project.

According to the SIS II time schedule, Compliance Tests for all Member States should be completed by 3 October 2008 at the latest.

After the enforcement of the Schengen Association Agreement associating Switzerland with the implementation of the provisions of the Schengen acquis on 1 March 2008, the Swiss Government declared its readiness for the Schengen evaluation process. The Slovenian Presidency welcomes Switzerland's commitment to giving the highest priority to the SIS II project.

The Council also confirmed the conclusions of a report on the open issues relating to SIS II and took note of the Commission proposals on migration from SIS 1+ to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II).

Finally, the Commission confirmed that, on the basis of the open issues report, it will present a detailed schedule for SIS II implementation at the June 2008 Justice and Home Affairs Council.

It should be noted that the Council meeting on 28 February adopted a number of conclusions regarding the development of the second generation of the Schengen Information System (SIS II), inter alia, an additional mechanism, supporting the SIS II development in the Member States until the start of operations. The Council also invited the Slovenian Presidency to report to the Council in April 2008 on open issues relating to the detailed SIS II schedule, on the basis of a report prepared by the Friends of SIS II, the mechanism which was, pursuant to the Council conclusions, established immediately.