Council Decision (EU) 2024/1291 of 29 April 2024 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on supplementary rules in relation to the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, for the period 2021 to 2027

What it is

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for border management and visa policy, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy for the period 2021-2027 (BMVI Regulation) was adopted on 7 July 2021. The purpose of the BMVI Regulation is to express solidarity through financing assistance to those (Member) States that apply the Schengen acquis provisions on external borders. It constitutes a development of the Schengen acquis to which the countries associated to the implementation, application and further development of the Schengen acquis participate. BACKGROUND: on 21 February 2022, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein for the arrangements on the financial contributions of those countries and the supplementary rules necessary for their participation in the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI Regulation) for the period 2021 to 2027, including provisions ensuring the protection of the Union's financial interests and the powers of audit of the Court of Auditors, to be concluded pursuant Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The negotiations with Switzerland were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Agreement on 14 February 2023. In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on supplementary rules in relation to the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, for the period 2021 to 2027 was signed, subject to its conclusion at a later date. It is appropriate for the Council to authorise the Commission to approve modifications to the Agreement that are necessary with a view to adjusting references to the Financial Regulation whenever that Regulation is updated. Denmark and Ireland are not taking part in the adoption of this Decision. Therefore, they are not bound by it or subject to its application. CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council should decide to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on supplementary rules in relation to the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, for the period 2021 to 2027. - offers the opportunity for implementation of actions in shared management, direct and indirect management modes, and this Agreement should make it possible that the implementation in any of these methods can be realised in Switzerland in accordance with the principles and rules of the EU on financial management and control; - ensures that all rules applicable for the…

Official title: Council Decision (EU) 2024/1291 of 29 April 2024 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on supplementary rules in relation to the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, for the period 2021 to 2027