WRITTEN QUESTION E-1935/02 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Issue of multiple-entry Schengen visas.
Date: 2002-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, EU visa policy, Schengen Agreement, Switzerland, accession to an agreement, admission of aliens, migrant worker

C 52 E/116

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2003

The German Government also notified the site ‘Müritz Nationalpark’ as a Special Protection Area under
Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (Birds Directive) and has
also proposed a part of the site as Site of Community Importance (pSCI) under Directive 92/43/EEC.

it should be noted that the protection regime under
With regard to possible impacts on these sites,
Article 6 (2)-(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC only applies if significant effects on the integrity of the sites in
view of the their conservation objectives, are likely.

To-date, the Commission has not received information showing that significant effects on one or more of
the above-referenced sites are likely. In particular, the Commission is not aware of the analyses cited by the
Honourable Member, but in order to assess this matter would welcome receipt of same.

As at present informed, the Commission does not consider that there are grounds to reclaim community
funding.

(2003/C 52 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1935/02

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Issue of multiple-entry Schengen visas

(3 July 2002)

In his 17 July 2001 reply to my written question E-1345/01 (1) on transit through EU Member States by
workers from third countries who are legally resident in Switzerland, Mr Vitorino (Commissioner), writing
on behalf of the Commission, says that ‘Member States could issue multiple-entry Schengen visas which
are valid for a longer period, thus making it easier for such persons to transit via Member States’.

He also says that the Commission will look into the matter, with due account also to Switzerland’s recent
request to participate in Schengen.

At a recent initiative organised by the Swiss trade union representing workers in industry and the
construction sector, I took part in a meeting in Berne which was also attended by ambassadors from a
number of EU countries (Austria, Germany and Italy) and a representative of the French embassy, all of
whom expressed their willingness to find a solution to the existing problems, with particular reference to
workers holding Swiss residence and work permits valid for periods of one year or more.

Would the Commission say what action has already been (or is to be) taken with a view to solving those
problems?

(1) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001, p. 129.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2002)

The Swiss trade union representing workers in industry and the construction sector has expressed the same
views to the Commission as those contained in the Honourable Member’s question.

The Commission takes the view that the relevant Community legal provisions do not preclude the issue of
multiple-entry transit visas valid for a year or more, provided, of course, that the general conditions
governing the issue of the standard visa are observed.

It considers that the issue of multiple-entry transit visas could greatly reduce waiting times for foreign
nationals, particularly in the run-up to the annual holidays, until such time as Switzerland’s request to
participate in the Schengen-Dublin arrangements results in a bilateral agreement between the Community/
the Union and Switzerland, thereby resolving the problem altogether.