PUBLIC LIMITE EN COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 22 February /07 LIMITE FAUXDOC 2 COMIX 71

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1 Conseil UE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 22 February /07 PUBLIC LIMITE FAUXDOC 2 COMIX 71 OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS of: Working Party on Frontiers/False Documents - Mixed Committee (EU - Iceland/Norway/Switzerland) dated: 22 January 2007 Subject: Summary of discussions 1. Presentation of the Presidency Programme The Chair presented the German Presidency Programme "Living Europe safely". Regarding the Working Party on Frontiers/False Documents, the Presidency will focus on developing further cooperation among Member States including closer cooperation of Border Police on the EU level, technical cooperation (inventory of what has been done so far), an initiative to develop a FADO Glossary / Online Help for the ifado and for PRADO systems, a training programme by Frontex, and updating of the Framework for harmonised programmes for the training of document examiners in three levels and existing e-learning measures. The Chair informed delegations that next meeting would be on 24 May 2007 and the last one during the German Presidency most likely on 26 June /07 FZ/cr 1

2 2. FADO - current state of play (information by the General Secretariat). The FADO project team of the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) provided a status report (see ANNEX). A PowerPoint presentation on FADO was given which is also available for use for information purposes nationally. 1 Two lists, established by the WP, were distributed for the regular (yearly) update: a) List of National Contact Points for Access to Travel Documents' Records of MS+ b) List of National Contact Points for False Documents. These two lists will in future also be available on ifado (for control authority use). A new List of National Contact Points for Information on Travel and Identity Documents for the General Public for the new PRADO database was also distributed in order to be completed by delegations. This list will be hosted on the Council homepage and will be accompanied by an explanatory text that will state that questions on individual documents should be addressed to the respective national contact point responsible for the interrogator, no matter where the document in question originates from. Member States were reminded that they have to inform the GSC on their planned use of ifado. A document describing the technical possibilities was distributed. 2 The GSC confirmed, in response to a question from NL, that FADO does not include a general monitoring tool but that potential security risks are monitored. 1 The presentation is available at the GSC. 2 The document is available in electronic form at the GSC. 5576/07 FZ/cr 2

3 3. Initiative implementing a FADO-Glossary/Presentation by the German Delegation Doc. 5254/07 FAUXDOC 1 COMIX 27 The Chair explained that the FADO database currently contains images of false and genuine documents with relevant terms in all languages. This initiative would ensure a precise description of the most important terms used in the FADO system which would lead to a better harmonization of the terminology used as well as serve as necessary background information, especially for ifado users, and would enhance user friendliness. The Presidency gave a short presentation with various examples of existing national systems which include such descriptions. 1 It was recalled that there is a glossary made by the Committee established by Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1683/95 of May ("Article 6 Committee"). The Chair suggested that a small, flexible subgroup of the FADO User Group would be convoked and would work on this project using available descriptions from various national and the Article 6 Committee's glossaries. All delegations are invited to participate in the work of this subgroup. The first meeting will be on 6 February 2007 in Brussels. The Chair concluded that there was consensus for creating such a Subgroup and that the first meeting would take place on 6 February The COM announced that a short presentation on the new Article 6 Committee glossary would be given at the meeting on 6 February. 4. General exchange of information. UK presented 12 forgery finders (No /06 and 01-05/07). UK also presented its new Free Movement of Persons Residence Documentation (specimens distributed) and its new Emergency Passport. 1 The Presidency's presentation is available at the GSC. 5576/07 FZ/cr 3

4 PL presented a forgery finder (No. 01/07) regarding falsified Polish ID on stolen original blank documents and information about Polish passport (BM series). HU asked for specimen residence permits for family members and asked whether different stamps could be introduced into the FADO System. The GSC explained that it was already possible to introduce examples of different stamps in the FADO System and that new closed lists entries with standard texts for the legal status of entry and exit stamps for both Schengen and non-schengen countries are currently to be decided upon electronically by the FADO Drafting Committee. The Chair confirmed that DE would give specimens of its different stamps. AT distributed a CD-Rom with information on all types of Austrian e-passports and a specimen of the new Austrian Emergency passport. CZ distributed a small handbook created by a local border police unit, containing information on the residence documents from different Member States. DE distributed the new 2007 version of the thematic calendar on combating document abuse. 5. Modus operandi of international organisations trafficking in false and falsified documents (activities in detection and dismantling of forgery workshops and presentations on trafficking of false documents) No issues were raised. 5576/07 FZ/cr 4

5 6. Biometrics and their application to travel documents of both Members States and other states Exchange of information especially regarding the handling of documents at border controls, issuing passports and related issues. The Chair recalled that almost all Members States had now introduced new e-passports and the decision that the Working Party would have regular discussions about practical problems and solutions. Delegations had agreed to send contributions three times per year (on 15 February, 15 June and 15 October) for this purpose. The Chair asked delegations to send to the GSC their latest practical findings for discussion at the next meeting. PL informed delegations that a pilot project for reading e-passports had been started at Katowice airport and asked for information regarding optional protocol on active authentication in the chip. NL confirmed that this protocol had been used and relevant information could be provided. NL started a pilot project for reading e-passports in September 2006 and plans to extend such a control to all border crossings by mid UK was currently rolling out passport readers to all border units. At the next meeting a brochure with basic information for border guards will be distributed. RO was currently restarting a public tender procedure for e-passports. The COM reminded delegations that according to Regulation 2252/04 Member States are required to send the Commission specimens of their e-passports, so that the Commission would be informed that this Regulation has been implemented. If this is not done, the Commission will have to start infringement procedures. 5576/07 FZ/cr 5

6 7. Presentation of national structures and of procedures regarding documents by the Romanian delegation RO presented its national structures and procedures regarding documents. 1 Regarding the information on RO ID cards, UK asked whether there any variations of this document. UK also asked whether RO was planning to introduce necessary changes in the ID card to meet ICAO standards. RO replied that there were two types of ID cards and that at this moment nothing is known about plans to change the ID card to meet the ICAO standards. Details about the two different types will be sent by mail. Regarding the validity of the ID cards, RO explained that ID cards issued to a person over 55 years of age are valid for 60 years. In all other cases, ID cards are valid either for 4, 7 or 10 years. RO suggested that they could make a presentation of RO ID cards at the next meeting, if this was wanted. 8. Framework for harmonised programmes for the training of document examiners in three levels (doc /1/04 REV 1 LIMITE FAUXDOC 11 COMIX 551) The Chair recalled that the Finnish Presidency had asked for contributions from delegations. Up till now, 12 contributions had been received. The Chair informed delegations that the new deadline was 28 February Then the Presidency would prepare a draft revised text for discussion at the next meeting. 1 RO presentation is available at the GSC. 5576/07 FZ/cr 6

7 9. Any other business. SI distributed a specimen of the new list for travellers (school pupils) for school trips within the EU. EL informed that it would bring specimens of the new e-passport to the next meeting and asked whether any other country encounters problems with Chinese ID cards. Replying to a question raised by LU regarding the issuance of new e-passports and the validity of the old passports, EL explained that there was an information campaign to inform all citizens about the validity of old passports well in advance and that there is no special procedure for issuance of new e-passports. COM explained that the Commission was receiving many complaints about this, especially from Greek citizens living abroad, and asked for this information in writing, to enable it to reply to questions. AT asked for specimens of e-passports from IT, EE, LV, MT, CY and SK. They have not yet started to be issued. 5576/07 FZ/cr 7

8 ANNEX GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION DG H 1 and DG A 5 FADO Implementation & Operations Status Report To the Working Party on Frontiers / False Documents - Mixed Committee (EU - Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) Monday, 22 January 2007 A. FADO Final System became Operational On 01 December 2006, a major FADO milestone took place: the system received accreditation and entered into operational use as a RESTREINT UE system, allowing introduction also of false documents. This is the outcome of a complex and lengthy process that required the planning, procurement, coordination and implementation of many activities at the GSC as well as at national levels. The GSC would like to express its sincere thanks to the MSs for all the excellent collaboration and the effort and resources made available at the national level in order to achieve this important milestone. Currently, the FADO network covers the GSC FADO central site (that consists of several servers and approximately 200 PCs in 4 buildings) and 24 FADO national sites. (Luxembourg is not connected to FADO, as the national accreditation is not yet issued.) The big challenge now for the FADO system is the population of the FADO database with a high number of authentic and false documents. B. Bulgaria and Romania The preparations for the deployment of FADO in Bulgaria and Romania, as well as for the support of the Bulgarian and Romanian languages in FADO, are currently on-going. 5576/07 FZ/cr 8 ANNEX

9 C. FADO Level 2 & Internet The development activities are currently on-going. It is estimated that the technical development of FADO Level 2 - called ifado (Intranet - False and Authentic Documents Online) - will be completed by the end of Q2 of The actual date of operational entry will also be affected by the finalization of the glossary that is the basis for the online help to be implemented. Concerning the Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online, called PRADO, the implementation of an Internet site containing part of the information from FADO, to be accessible by the general public (employers, notaries, etc), the technical development is also ongoing with the estimate to have them completed by the end of Q2 of D. Introduction of Documents into FADO 1. The introduction of authentic documents into the FADO database: Up to now 412 documents have been introduced into the system and they are visible to all users; 342 of them are finalised (validated by the FADO Drafting Committee and translations into all official EU languages are under way or have been finalized) and in addition 198 documents are still in draft status (available in one language, content visible only to the document owners). 2. The introduction of false alerts into the FADO database has started slowly. Up to now 7 false documents have been introduced, three alerts by Hungary, two by Germany and two by Lithuania. Three of them have been committed to the workflow so far and are thus visible to all. The current population of the database and usage of the system is presented in the APPENDIX of the current report. 5576/07 FZ/cr 9 ANNEX

10 APPENDIX FADO STATISTICS Authentic Documents Status Draft Proposal Valid Entry Proposal Proposal Formal Proposal Valid Document Invalid Document /07 FZ/cr 10 ANNEX

11 Agreed Upon Documents in FADO FRA POL SWE FIN ESP Documents LVA BEL DNK EST ISL CZE AUT DEU NLD GBR SVN PRT NOR MLT CYP ITA GRC LUX LTU HUN SVK IRL Authentic Documents Status AUT BEL CYP CZE DEU DNK ESP EST FIN FRA GBR GRC HUN IRL ISL ITA LTU LUX LVA MLT NLD NOR POL PRT SVK SVN Member States SWE FAN Valid Document Formal Proposal Proposal Valid Entry Proposal Draft Proposal 5576/07 FZ/cr 11 ANNEX

12 Authentic document uploads into the database Q3/2005 Q4/2005 Q1/2006 Q2/2006 Q3/2006 Q4/ Draft Proposal Valid Entry Proposal 15 Proposal Formal Proposal Valid Document Invalid Document Viewable by all Q4/2006 Q3/2006 Q2/2006 Q1/2006 Q4/2005 Q3/ /07 FZ/cr 12 ANNEX

13 False Documents Status Documents DEU HUN M ember States LTU Valid Document Formal Proposal Proposal Valid Entry Proposal Draft Proposal 5576/07 FZ/cr 13 ANNEX