2004/581/EC: Council Decision of 29 April 2004 determining the minimum indications to be used on signs at external border crossing points

6.8.2004 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 261/119
COUNCIL DECISION
of 29 April 2004
determining the minimum indications to be used on signs at external border crossing points
(2004/581/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 62(2)(a) thereof
Having regard to the initiative of the Hellenic Republic (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Whereas:
(1) It is necessary to update the existing indications on signs at external air border crossing points marking the channels for persons entering the territory of the Member States contained in Schengen Executive Committee Decision SCH/COM-EX (94) 17, rev 4 of 22 December 1994 introducing and applying the Schengen arrangements in airports and aerodromes (3) in order to take account of the Agreement on the European Economic Area and of the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on the free movement of persons.
(2) It is also necessary to determine, in a uniform manner, the indications for new signs marking the passenger channels at external land and sea borders, where such channels are used.
(3) In order to avoid a disproportionate financial burden on Member States, it is appropriate to provide for a transitional period of five years during which the provisions of this Decision only apply where Member States set up new signs or replace existing ones.
(4) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision, and is not bound by it or subject to its application. Given that this Decision builds upon the Schengen acquis under the provisions of Title IV of Part III of the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark shall, in accordance with Article 5 of the said Protocol, decide within a period of six months after the Council has adopted this Decision whether it will implement it in its national law.
(5) As regards Iceland and Norway, this Decision constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning 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
 (4), which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A of Council Decision 1999/437/EC of 17 May 1999 on certain arrangements for the application of that Agreement (5).
(6) This Decision constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom does not take part, in accordance with 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
 (6); the United Kingdom is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application.
(7) This Decision constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with 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
 (7); Ireland is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application.
(8) This Decision constitutes an act building on the Schengen acquis or otherwise related to it within the meaning of Article 3(2) of the 2003 Act of Accession.