Decision 2011/349 - Conclusion of the Protocol between the EU, the EC, Switzerland and Liechtenstein on the accession of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the EU, the EC and Switzerland on Switzerland’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, relating in particular to judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation - Main contents
18.6.2011 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 160/1 |
COUNCIL DECISION
of 7 March 2011
on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, relating in particular to judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation
(2011/349/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 16, 79(2)(c), 82(1)(b) and (d), 87(2), 87(3), 89 and 114 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1) |
Following the authorisation given to the Presidency, assisted by the Commission, on 27 February 2006, negotiations with the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Swiss Confederation of a Protocol on the accession of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis have been finalised. |
(2) |
In accordance with Council Decisions 2008/261/EC (1) and 2008/262/JHA (2), and subject to its conclusion at a later date, the Protocol was signed on behalf of the European Union on 28 February 2008. |
(3) |
As a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Union has replaced and succeeded the European Community. |
(4) |
The Protocol should be approved. |
(5) |
As far as the development of the Schengen acquis is concerned, which falls under Part Three, Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of European Union, it is appropriate to make Council Decision 1999/437/EC of17 May 1999 on certain arrangements for the application of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the association of those two States with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (3) applicable, mutatis mutandis, to the relations with Liechtenstein. |
(6) |
The United Kingdom is taking part in this Decision in accordance with Article 5(1) of the Protocol on the Schengen acquis integrated into the framework of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and Article 8(2) of Council Decision 2000/365/EC of 29 May 2000 concerning the request of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (4). |
(7) |
Ireland is taking part in this Decision in accordance with Article 5(1) of the Protocol on the Schengen acquis integrated into the framework of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and Article 6(2) of Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland’s request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (5). |
(8) |
This Decision does not prejudice the position of Denmark under the Protocol on the Position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and related documents are hereby approved on behalf of the European Union.
The texts of the Protocol and the related documents are attached to this Decision.
Article 2
This decision applies to the fields covered by the provisions listed in Article 2(1) and (2) of the Protocol and to their development to the extent that such provisions are listed in Decisions 2000/365/EC and 2002/192/EC.
Article 3
The provisions of Articles 1 to 4 of Decision 1999/437/EC shall apply, in the same way, to the association of Liechtenstein with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.
Article 4
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person empowered to deposit on behalf of the European Union the Instrument of approval provided for in Article 9 of the Protocol, in order to express the consent of the European Union to be bound, and make the following notification:
‘As a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Union has replaced and succeeded the European Community and from that date exercises all rights and assumes all obligations of the European Community. Therefore, references to “the European Community” in the Protocol as well as in the Agreement are, where appropriate, to be understood as to “the European Union”.’
Article 5
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Article 6
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 7 March 2011.
For the Council
The President
CZOMBA S.
-
Council Decision 2008/261/EC of 28 February 2008 on the signature, on behalf of the European Community, and on the provisional application of certain provisions of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (OJ L 83, 26.3.2008, p. 3).
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Council Decision 2008/262/JHA of 28 February 2008 on the signature, on behalf of the European Union, and on the provisional application of certain provisions of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (OJ L 83, 26.3.2008, p. 5).
FINAL ACT
The plenipotentiaries
of the EUROPEAN UNION
and
of the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
and
of the SWISS CONFEDERATION
and
of the PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN,
hereinafter referred to as ‘the Contracting Parties’,
meeting in Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of February in the year 2008 for the signature of the Protocol between the European Union, the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein on the accession of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, have adopted the Protocol.
The plenipotentiaries of the Contracting Parties have taken note of the following Declarations listed below and annexed to this Final Act:
— |
Joint Declaration of the Contracting Parties on the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union, |
— |
Joint Declaration of the Contracting Parties on Article 23(7) of the Convention of 29 May 2000 on mutual assistance in criminal matters between Member States of the European Union (1), |
— |
Declaration by the European Community and Liechtenstein on external relations, |
— |
Declaration by Liechtenstein on mutual assistance in criminal matters, |
— |
Declaration by Liechtenstein on Article 5(2)(b), |
— |
Declaration by Liechtenstein on the application of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and the European Convention on Extradition, |
— |
Declaration by the European Community on the External Borders Fund for the period 2007-2013, |
— |
Declaration by the European Commission on the transmission of proposals, |
— |
Common Declarations on Joint Meetings. |
За Европейския съюз
Por la Unión Europea
Za Evropskou unii
For Den Europæiske Union
Für die Europäische Union
Euroopa Liidu nimel
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση
For the European Union
Pour l'Union européenne
Per l'Unione europea
Eiropas Savienības vārdā
Europos Sajungos vardu
Az Európai Unió részéről
Għall-Unjoni Ewropea
Voor de Europese Unie
W imieniu Unii Europejskiej
Pela União Europeia
Pentru Uniunea Europeană
Za Európsku úniu
Za Evropsko unijo
Euroopan unionin puolesta
På Europeiska unionens vägnar
За Европейската общност
Por la Comunidad Europea
Za Evropské společenství
For Det Europæiske Fællesskab
Für die Europäische Gemeinschaft
Euroopa Ühenduse nimel
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα
For the European Community
Pour la Communauté européenne
Per la Comunità europea
Eiropas Kopienas vārdā
Europos bendrijos vardu
az Európai Közösség részéről
Għall-Komunità Ewropea
Voor de Europese Gemeenschap
W imieniu Wspólnoty Europejskiej
Pela Comunidade Europeia
Pentru Comunitatea Europeană
Za Európske spoločenstvo
Za Evropsko skupnost
Euroopan yhteisön puolesta
På Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar
За Конфедерация Швейцария
Por la Confederación Suiza
Za Švýcarskou konfederaci
For Det Schweiziske Forbund
Für die Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft
Šveitsi Konföderatsiooni nimel
Για την Ελβετική Συνομοσπονδία
For the Swiss Confederation
Pour la Confédération suisse
Per la Confederazione svizzera
Šveices Konfederācijas vārdā
Šveicarijos Konfederacijos vardu
A Svájci Államszövetség részéről
Għall-Konfederazzjoni Żvizzera
Voor de Zwitserse Bondsstaat
W imieniu Konfederacji Szwajcarskiej
Pela Confederação Suíça
Pentru Confederația Elvețiană
Za Švajčiarskou konfederáciu
Za Švicarsko konfederacijo
Sveitsin valaliiton puolesta
För Schweiziska edsförbundet
За Княжество Лихтенщайн
Por el Principado de Liechtenstein
Za Lichtenštejnské knížectví
For Fyrstendømmet Liechtenstein
Für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein
Liechtensteini Vürstiriigi nimel
Για το Πριγκιπάτο του Λιχτενστάιν
For the Principality of Liechtenstein
Pour la Principauté de Liechtenstein
Per il Principato del Liechtenstein
Lihtenšteinas Firstistes vārdā
Lichtenšteino Kunigaikštystės vardu
A Liechtensteini Hercegség részéről
Għall-Prinċipat ta’ Liechtenstein
Voor het Vorstendom Liechtenstein
W imieniu Księstwa Liechtensteinu
Pelo Principado do Liechtenstein
Pentru Principatul Liechtenstein
Za Lichtenštajnské kniežatstvo
Za Kneževino Lihtenštajn
Liechtensleinin ruhtinaskunnan puolesta
För Furstendömet Liechtenstein
JOINT DECLARATIONS OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES
JOINT DECLARATION OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES ON THE EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF OPERATIONAL COOPERATION AT THE EXTERNAL BORDERS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The Contracting Parties take note that further arrangements shall be concluded for the association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union following the example of the arrangements agreed with Norway and Iceland.
JOINT DECLARATION OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES ON ARTICLE 23(7) OF THE CONVENTION OF 29 MAY 2000 ON MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS BETWEEN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The Contracting Parties agree that Liechtenstein may, subject to the provisions of Article 23(1)(c) of the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between Member States of the European Union, in the circumstances of a particular case, require, unless the Member State concerned has obtained the consent of the data subject, that personal data not be used for the purposes referred to in Article 23(1)(a) and (b) without the prior consent of Liechtenstein in proceedings in which Liechtenstein could have refused or restricted the transmission or use of personal data under the Convention or the instruments referred to in Article 1 thereof.
If, in a particular case, Liechtenstein refuses to give its consent to a request from a Member State pursuant to the above provisions, it must give reasons for its decision in writing.
OTHER DECLARATIONS
DECLARATION BY EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND LIECHTENSTEIN ON EXTERNAL RELATIONS
The European Community and Liechtenstein agree that the European Community undertakes to encourage third countries or international organisations with which it concludes agreements in areas linked to Schengen cooperation, including the visa policy, to conclude similar agreements with the Principality of Liechtenstein, without prejudice to the latter's competence to conclude such agreements.
DECLARATION BY LIECHTENSTEIN ON MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS
Liechtenstein declares that tax offences being investigated by the Liechtenstein authorities may not give rise to an appeal before a court competent inter alia to hear criminal matters.
DECLARATION BY LIECHTENSTEIN ON ARTICLE 5(2)(B)
(Time limit for accepting new developments in the Schengen acquis)
The maximum time limit of 18 months laid down in Article 5(2)(b) covers both the approval and the implementation of the act or measure. It includes the following stages:
— |
the preparatory stage, |
— |
the parliamentary procedure, |
— |
the referendum deadline of 30 days, |
— |
where applicable the referendum (organisation and voting), |
— |
the sanctioning of the ruling prince. |
The Government of Liechtenstein shall inform the Council and the Commission without delay of the completion of each of the stages.
The Government of Liechtenstein undertakes to use every means at its disposal to ensure that the abovementioned stages are completed as swiftly as possible.
DECLARATION BY LIECHTENSTEIN ON THE APPLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS AND THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON EXTRADITION
Liechtenstein undertakes to refrain from invoking its reservations and declarations made when ratifying the European Convention on Extradition of 13 December 1957 and the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 20 April 1959 in so far as they are incompatible with this Agreement.
DECLARATION BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY ON THE EXTERNAL BORDERS FUND FOR THE PERIOD 2007-2013
The European Community is currently establishing an External Borders Fund for the period 2007-2013, for which further arrangements shall be concluded with the third countries associated with the Schengen acquis.
DECLARATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON THE TRANSMISSION OF PROPOSALS
When forwarding proposals relating to this Agreement to the Council of the European Union and to the European Parliament, the Commission shall forward copies of such proposals to Liechtenstein.
Participation in Committees that assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers:
The Council authorised the Commission on 1 June 2006 to open negotiations with the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein with a view to concluding an agreement on the latters’ association with the work of the committees which assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers as regards the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.
Until conclusion of such an agreement, the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the Council of the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the committees that assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive powers applies to Liechtenstein taking into account that as far as Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data (1) is concerned, the participation of Liechtenstein is laid down by Article 100 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
COMMON DECLARATION ON JOINT MEETINGS
The delegations representing the Governments of the Member States of the European Union,
The delegation of the European Commission,
The delegations representing the Governments of the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway,
The delegation representing the Government of the Swiss Confederation,
The delegation representing the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein,
Note that Liechtenstein accedes to the Mixed Committee established by the Agreement on the association of Switzerland with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis by way of a protocol to this Agreement.
Have decided to organise the meetings of the Mixed Committees, established by the Agreement on the association of Iceland and Norway with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, on the one hand, and the Agreement on the association of Switzerland with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis as complemented by the Protocol on the association of Liechtenstein, on the other hand, jointly, no matter the level of the meeting.
Note that holding these meetings jointly calls for pragmatic arrangements regarding the office of presidency of such meetings when that presidency is to be held by the associated States according to the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the latter's association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis as complemented by the Protocol on the association of Liechtenstein or the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the latter's association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.
Note the wish of the associated States to cede, as necessary, the exercise of their presidencies and rotate it among them in alphabetical order of name as of the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the latter's association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and as of the entry into force of the Protocol on the association of Liechtenstein.
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OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).
This summary has been adopted from EUR-Lex.