Council Decision of 27 March 2000 on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents

Council Decision
of 27 March 2000
on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents
(2000/261/JHA)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 34(2)(c) thereof,
Having regard to the initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),
Whereas:
(1) Counterfeit travel documents have increased to an alarming extent.
(2) A computerised image archiving and transmission system (FADO) has been set up by the Joint Action of the Council of 3 December 1998(3).
(3) The improved exchange of information on counterfeit travel documents will make it possible to limit the counterfeiting of documents and thus make an effective contribution to combating crime and the smuggling of human beings.
(4) The use of standardised information collection will facilitate and speed up the conduct of criminal proceedings.
(5) This Decision does not affect the competence of the Member States relating to the recognition of passports, travel documents, visas, or other identity documents,