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Australia / European Community Cooperation on Visa Security
Published on: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 10:25:51 GMT
Shared agreement on measures to improve visa security were a hallmark of discussions in Rome on 17 October 2005 between Senator Vanstone and Mr Franco Frattini, the Vice-President and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, of the European Commission. Mr Frattini updated Senator Vanstone on EU plans to establish comprehensive databases of lost and stolen passports, as a means of significantly strengthening border security measures.
He indicated a strong willingness to enter into cooperative arrangements with Australia and other countries to develop the most comprehensive arrangements possible.
‘Strengthened cooperation on border security arrangements is a very welcome development’ Senator Vanstone said. ‘I am pleased the European Union and Australia will work closely together in this very important field, particularly given the security challenges we all face.’
Senator Vanstone and Mr Frattini also discussed Australia’s world-leading initiatives in visa and border security, including the Electronic Travel Authority, the Movement Alert List and Advanced Passenger Processing. Senator Vanstone briefed Mr Frattini on regional initiatives such as the regional movement alert list trial, involving Australia, the United States and other AOPEC countries.
Additionally Senator Vanstone and Mr Frattini discussed wider issues, including Australia’s universal visa arrangements and their applicability to citizens of European Union countries, including newly admitted members of the EU.
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