Ministers adopted a decision allowing the lifting of internal border controls (Schengen area) with Liechtenstein and eliminate current restrictions on the use of the Schengen Information System (SIS).



In a previous evaluation, the JHA Council has determined that Liechtenstein meets all the conditions necessary for the practical application of the relevant parts of the Schengen acquis.



Schengen are currently 22 states in the 27 EU member states (exceptions are Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and the United Kingdom) plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.



Schengen area was established on 14 June 1985, when Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed the Schengen Agreement. After five years, by the Schengen Convention have decided how the abolition of internal border controls to be implemented and established a number of compensatory measures necessary to strengthen controls at external borders.



Also in Tuesday's meeting of EU interior ministers Polish Presidency of the EU Council made a brief presentation of the file extension of the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria.



As you know, Holland is the only country that still blocks the expansion of the Schengen area, after Finland announced last month that it will consider the accession of Romania and Bulgaria in two steps (first with air and sea borders by the end of March 2012, and then land borders by July next year). However, the Helsinki authorities indicated that they want to wait for February interim report prepared by the European Commission under the CVM.



Dutch government's position was reaffirmed by the Minister before the JHA Council meeting on immigration and asylum Gerd Leers, who said that the Netherlands maintains all the arguments presented so far and expects the interim report in February of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM).



Decision to extend the Schengen area must be taken unanimously by the interior ministers of the Member States (JHA Council). In the decision, the European Parliament has only a consultative role, the favorable opinion in this regard is given to the plenary EP in June, by adopting the report by MEP Carlos Coelho.



Leaders 'of the 27' were asked in the recent European Council conclusions, that a decision on extending the Schengen be adopted as soon as possible, bearing in mind that all legal conditions of membership have been met by Romania and Bulgaria. ''Recalling the discussions in June and October 2011, the European Council notes that all legal conditions have been met for a decision on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania. He asks the Council (Justice and Home Affairs - Ed.) Take this decision as soon as possible. If necessary, the European Council will return to this issue at its meeting in March 2012'', says the European Council winter ended Friday in Brussels.