Interior Minister Laanet to discuss European Union internal security cooperation

Press release no. 155

On Thursday and Friday 5 & 6 October Interior Minister Kalle Laanet will be in Luxembourg at the session of the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council to discuss topics related to the launch of the Schengen information system. The Council is to be presented with the updated schedule for the technical implementation of the second generation Schengen SIS II information system. According to this schedule, the systems of new member states would be ready for integration not by the end of 2006 as originally planned, but by June 2008. In order to avoid further delays additional measures are planned to be implemented for the better management of the project and analysis has been launched to find alternatives to the technical solution.
One alternative to be discussed during the session of the Council is the proposal for new member states to temporarily adopt the first generation Schengen SIS 1+ information system.

The ministers will also be discussing the activities within and the funding of the civil protection sector, the implementation of the Hague programme and common border control strategies.
Interior Minister Kalle Laanet will be accompanied to the meeting by Kristo Põllu and Klen Jäärats, attachés to the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Estonia in the EU.