COUNCIL DECISION

of 22 December 1995

on monitoring the implementation of instruments already adopted concerning admission of third-country nationals

(96/C 11/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Article K.3 (2) (a) of the Treaty on European Union,

Having regard to the priority work programme adopted by the Council on 30 November 1993 in Brussels, calling in particular for the preparation of an annual report on achievements in the field of justice and home affairs,

Whereas Article K.1 (3) (a) of the Treaty on European Union states that Member States shall regard conditions of entry by nationals of third countries on the territory of Member States as a matter of common interest;

Whereas the instruments adopted by the Council concerning the admission of third-country nationals express a common political will;

Whereas monitoring of the implementation of the provisions contained in these instruments will reveal the practical effect of the Council's work in this matter and provide useful lessons for its future work;

Whereas Member States consequently intend to agree on practical arrangements for such monitoring,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Preparation of a questionnaire

Each year, the Presidency shall forward to the Member States a questionnaire designed to show how they have implemented the resolutions and acts already adopted by the Council concerning the admission of third-country nationals.

Article 2

Content of the questionnaire

The questionnaire shall refer to the following:

- provisions adopted during the preceding year by the Member States in any of the areas referred to by the instruments already adopted,

- difficulties in adopting those provisions,

- the possibility of any provision on those areas being adopted in the near future,

- application in practice of the instruments, irrespective of the adoption of internal provisions where appropriate.

Article 3

Evaluation of the replies

A report on the application of the instruments referred to in Article 1 shall be drawn up on the basis of the replies from the Member States and shall be submitted to the Council.

Article 4

Implementation

The first questionnaire shall be sent to the Member States in the first half of 1996.

Done at Brussels, 22 December 1995.

For the Council

The President

L. ATIENZA SERNA