Minutes released on 23 October confirm that the Council’s Working Party on Integration, Migration and Expulsion (IMEX) convened a rare Mixed-Committee session with Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The agenda centred on synchronising return-procedures and data-sharing ahead of the Entry/Exit System go-live on 12 October.
Germany, represented by Interior Ministry director Claudia Schön, pushed for common standards on biometric quality and storage periods, arguing that gaps could create ‘forum shopping’ for irregular migrants. The EFTA states accepted in principle but asked for transitional funding from the EU budget.
Although technical, the meeting matters to global-mobility teams because German assignees often transit via Zurich, Geneva or Oslo when Schengen congestion strikes. Harmonised biometric rules should reduce the risk of travellers being held up at external borders owing to incompatible data formats.
A progress report will feed into Council deliberations in December, potentially paving the way for a binding decision in early 2026.
Germany, represented by Interior Ministry director Claudia Schön, pushed for common standards on biometric quality and storage periods, arguing that gaps could create ‘forum shopping’ for irregular migrants. The EFTA states accepted in principle but asked for transitional funding from the EU budget.
Although technical, the meeting matters to global-mobility teams because German assignees often transit via Zurich, Geneva or Oslo when Schengen congestion strikes. Harmonised biometric rules should reduce the risk of travellers being held up at external borders owing to incompatible data formats.
A progress report will feed into Council deliberations in December, potentially paving the way for a binding decision in early 2026.
