eu-LISA, with its headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, and the operational site in Strasbourg, France, starts its third year with complex tasks related to Smart Borders Pilot Testing-Phase to be carried out in 17 border control points of 12 Member States. In addition eu-LISA will hold the Chairmanship of 9 European Agencies, among them Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, that provide for internal stability and security in Europe.
In order to elaborate on the eu-LISA 2015 priorities and challenges in delivering for secure borders and open EU the Agency held in March 2015 the s.c. twin media-briefs, one in the Tallinn headquarters and the other, for the very first time ever, at the Strasbourg operational site. The Executive Director Krum Garkov, Heads of Department and Units as well as research and security experts of eu-LISA discussed with media the tasks and timelines for the complex activities to be carried out during the year.
eu-LISA is the European Agency for the operational managements of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice. It is responsible for the management of 3 large-scale IT systems used by authorities in European countries, namely the Visa Information System, the Schengen Information System and the Eurodac system. Through professional management of these systems, continuous evolution and strong interaction with end users, the Agency ensures virtually uninterrupted availability of critical information to participating Member States on agreed high levels of service and efficiency.
On 28th February 2013, the European Commission adopted the so-called Smart Borders package, detailing the proposed development of a European Entry-Exit System and a Registered Traveller Programme. The systems, which would only be applicable to non-EU travellers entering the European Schengen zone, are intended to improve security and efficiency at the external borders of the zone, to help to ensure that travellers abide by their terms of entry and to facilitate quicker and smoother border crossings. In 2014 more than 200 million crossings of external borders were recorded and the number is foreseen to almost double in 10 years reaching the estimated 350 million by 2025.
In order to further investigate the technical feasibility of the proposed systems, the European Commission proposed the organisation of a proof of concept. It includes a technical pilot taking as input the results and proposals of a Commission-led study on the systems. The Commission delegated the delivery of this pilot to eu-LISA. The active testing started in mid-March in Lisbon and will continue till mid-September. The cost of the pilot is €3.500.000.
In 2015 eu-LISA is also to Chair the Network of European Agencies operating in the area of Justice and Home Affairs. Cooperation of these 9 Agencies, including also Europol, Frontex, Eurojust, aims to provide for efficient coordination and value-added input to stand against the core internal security risks of EU related to foreign fighters, cybersecurity, border control and violation of human rights.
Interviews with the Executive Director Krum GARKOV, Head of Department Bernard KIRCH and eu-LISA expert staff were broadcasted in French and Estonian audio-visual media and information on the topics of the media-events were published in print and online quality media of the two countries.
eu-LISA will continue with the media-briefs to provide timely and factual information directly from the top managers and experts of the Agency.
Contact:
for media requests:
Communication and Information Officer
e-mail: press@eulisa.europa.eu
for general information:
info@eulisa.europa.eu