Key Benefits:
RESOLUTION
On Cooperation among the Baltic States
in Implementing the Schengen Action Plan
The Baltic Assembly,
taking into consideration that since 1 May 2004 Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are full-fledged members of the European Union;
emphasizing that successful coordination of action taken by the parliaments and the governments of the Baltic States will promote more efficient implementation of the national action plans for adopting the Schengen acquis in order to create the opportunity for citizens of the Baltic States to move freely within the Schengen area;
expressing concern that insufficient cooperation between the Baltic States after the abolition of checks at the internal borders will reduce the efficiency of efforts by the states to fight against illegal migration, organised crime, trafficking in human beings and drugs,
calls on the parliaments and the governments of the Baltic States to:
– introduce necessary amendments to the intergovernmental agreements on the border-crossing points in order to harmonize these agreements with the accession treaties and their annexes;
– agree as soon as possible on signing bilateral cooperation agreements that would stipulate development of police cooperation, trans-border surveillance and pursuit;
– implement as soon as possible the Naples Convention in the Baltic States;
– in order to ensure control on the EU external border and uniform application of customs procedures, to renew the work of the Committees of Senior Officials of the Baltic States;
– ensure the exchange of information and experience between the institutions involved in border control;
– take all necessary measures in order to introduce the Schengen Information System as soon as possible.
Riga, 19 December 2004
