Text tabled : A7-0241/2011

  Vilja Savisaar-Toomast (ALDE), in writing. − (ET) The report on establishing an agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice deals with the creation of the new agency and its scope of activity. In accordance with the rapporteur’s position, the agency’s objectives and tasks are connected solely with the technical level of operational management. The agency must not have the power to take political decisions, for example with regard to setting up new systems or systems interoperability. My Estonian colleagues and I are very glad that Estonia and France were today able to reach the agreement that was also confirmed today, namely that the new agency will be located in Tallinn, Estonia. Since the technical development of the second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) and the Visa Information System (VIS), as well as the preparation for their operational management, had already been carried out in Strasbourg, and a backup site for these IT systems had already been established in Sankt Johann im Pongau in Austria, Estonia, France and Austria came to an agreement that they would remain there. I think that the creation of this agency will increase the reliability of the European Union’s IT systems and will lead to the speedier and more effective creation of new systems. There are now several examples of how the development of trans-European systems has been delayed and their quality has not been ideal, and therefore the creation of the new agency is altogether justified. I welcome today’s decision, and I am delighted at the creation of the new agency. Thank you.