249 Andreea Marica Measures and regulatory changes within the European Union... is recognised that Europol may cross-reference data included in the latter, but such a transfer is required until a systematic search function in the SIS II is enabled for the Agency44. The serious shortcomings currently faced by Europol boil down to the fact that it is impossible for the Agency to access all information exchange systems, or that it is only afforded limited access to mere consultations known as ‘discreet and specific checks’. In order for the Agency to properly and successfully fulfil its support function to Member States, synergies must be created between all the information systems and EIS. At the moment, it is being examined whether it is necessary for the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), to be developed as part of the SIS, to complement Europol systems principally with a counter-terrorism purpose in mind. It should be mentioned that Europol has had access to the VIS since September 2013 and to Eurodac 45 since July 2015, albeit only in consultation mode and without being able to extract or introduce data. This is totally insufficient and consequently Europol is drafting a proposal to establish direct access to these systems and to SIS II, which would need to incorporate a search function for fingerprints46. It calls for the implementation of interconnectivity between all the different information systems – including the EIS, that is to say that the data registered in the system be able to be consulted automatically by another system centrally, which would lead to a reduction in the quantity of data circulating over communication networks and passing through the national information systems47. times more person entities in Europol’s Focal Point Travellers database compared with last year, the analysis file still contains only 2,786 verified foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) entered by EU Member States. The European Information System (EIS) contains only 1,473 FTF entered by Member States. This despite well-founded estimates that around 5,000 EU citizens have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join DAESH and other extremist groups. It should also be noted that more than 90% of the contributions by Member States regarding verified FTFs in FP Travellers in 2015 originate from just 5 Member States, Not all FTFs are systematically entered into the SIS II and the EIS of Europol. Only 18 operational FTF cases were registered at Eurojust in 2015 and information on only 104 ongoing terrorism prosecutions has been shared with Eurojust. This despite the fact that, according to the relevant Council Decision, information about all prosecutions has to be shared by Member States with Eurojust.” p.5. 44 State of play on implementation of the statement of the Members of the European Council of 12 February 2015, the JHA Council Conclusions of 20 November 2015, and the Conclusions of the European Council of 18 December 2015. Brussels, 4 March 2016, Doc. 6785/16, p. 7 et seq. 45 Communication of the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, Stronger and Smarter Information Systems for Borders and Security. Brussels, 6.4.2016 COM(2016) 205 final, p.11. 46 State of play on implementation of the statement of the Members of the European Council of 12 February 2015, the JHA Council Conclusions of 20 November 2015, and the Conclusions of the European Council of 18 December 2015. Brussels, 4 March 2016, Doc. 6785/16, p. 7 et seq. 47 Communication of the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, Stronger and Smarter Information Systems for Borders and Security. Brussels, 6.4.2016, COM(2016) 205 final, p. 16 et seq. http://revista.ieee.es/index.php/ieee
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