type: other

jurisdiction: US

text: b' Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were\n Properly Controlled\n\n September 2004\n\n Reference Number: 2004-40-176\n\n\n\n\nThis report has cleared the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration disclosure\nreview process and information determined to be restricted from public release has been\n redacted from this document.\n\x0c DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY\n WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220\n\n\n\n\nINSPECTOR GENERAL\n for TAX\n ADMINISTRATION\n\n\n\n\n September 22, 2004\n\n\n MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER\n\n\n FROM: Gordon C. Milbourn III\n Acting Deputy Inspector General for Audit\n\n SUBJECT: Final Audit Report - Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n (Audit # 200440040)\n\n\n This report presents the results of our review of Internal Revenue Service (IRS)\n Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98)1 Section (\xc2\xa7) 1203 allegations. The\n overall objective of this review was to determine whether the IRS process ensured\n \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations referred for action and management responses were accounted for\n and addressed. The RRA 98 added Title 26 United States Code \xc2\xa7 7803 (d)(1)(A),\n requiring the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to annually\n report to the Congress any terminations or mitigations under RRA 98 \xc2\xa7 1203.\n In summary, the IRS process ensured \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations referred for action and\n management responses were accounted for and addressed. The IRS properly\n controlled 33 referred allegations and 51 reports of investigation forwarded from the\n TIGTA Office of Investigations and 1,302 referrals from the Employee Tax Compliance\n (ETC) Branch in the IRS systems. In addition, the IRS and the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board\n adequately controlled 141 cases forwarded to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board for final\n determination during the 15-month period ending March 31, 2004. The 141 cases were\n identified from IRS records and traced to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board records to establish\n that all substantiated \xc2\xa7 1203 cases were addressed.\n While reviewing ETC case processing, we identified 198 cases as of March 31, 2004,\n that were open for over 180 calendar days without a resolution as to whether the tax\n compliance issue was a substantiated \xc2\xa7 1203 violation. Labor Relations offices did\n perform informal monthly reviews of cases over 180 calendar days old. However, Labor\n\n 1\n Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 2 U.S.C., 5 U.S.C. app.,\n 16 U.S.C., 19 U.S.C., 22 U.S.C., 23 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 31 U.S.C., 38 U.S.C., and 49 U.S.C.).\n\x0c 2\n\nRelations Specialists did not document their follow-up activities or reasons for the delay\nin the case histories. We identified some cases with periods spanning several months\nafter the cases were 180 calendar days old in which there was no activity noted in the\ncase history or an explanation for the delay. In these overage cases, continual\nmanagement oversight is needed to ensure more timely resolution of \xc2\xa7 1203 violations\nand eliminate unnecessary stress to employees when cases are needlessly delayed.\nWe recommended the Chief Human Capital Officer formalize in the Internal Revenue\nManual (IRM) the monthly requirement to conduct and document follow-up activity on all\ncases open for over 180 calendar days and perform annual follow-up reviews to ensure\nthe process is consistently followed.\nManagement\xe2\x80\x99s Response: IRS management agreed with our recommendation and will\ninclude the recommended requirement in an IRM currently under development\nconcerning the processing of conduct cases. Training is also planned to implement the\nrequirement. Management\xe2\x80\x99s complete response to the draft report is included as\nAppendix VI.\nCopies of this report are also being sent to the IRS managers affected by the report\nrecommendation. Please contact me at (202) 622-6510 if you have questions or\nMichael R. Phillips, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Wage and Investment Income\nPrograms), at (202) 927-0597.\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n\n\n\n Table of Contents\n\n\nBackground ............................................................................................... Page 1\nAllegations Referred From the Treasury Inspector General for Tax\nAdministration Were Properly Controlled .................................................. Page 3\nReports of Investigation Referred From the Treasury Inspector\nGeneral for Tax Administration Were Properly Controlled......................... Page 4\nThe Process Should Ensure Cases Are Timely Considered\nby the Section 1203 Review Board ........................................................... Page 5\nEmployee Tax Compliance Allegation Controls Could Be Enhanced........ Page 6\n Recommendation 1: .........................................................................Page 8\n\nAppendix I \xe2\x80\x93 Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology....................... Page 9\nAppendix II \xe2\x80\x93 Major Contributors to This Report ....................................... Page 12\nAppendix III \xe2\x80\x93 Report Distribution List ....................................................... Page 13\nAppendix IV \xe2\x80\x93 Outcome Measures............................................................ Page 14\nAppendix V \xe2\x80\x93 The Section 1203 Process .................................................. Page 15\nAppendix VI \xe2\x80\x93 Management\xe2\x80\x99s Response to the Draft Report .................... Page 19\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n On July 22, 1998, the President signed into law the Internal\nBackground\n Revenue Service (IRS) Restructuring and Reform Act of\n 1998 (RRA 98).1 This Act added Title 26 United States\n Code Section (\xc2\xa7) 7803 (d)(1)(A), requiring the Treasury\n Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to\n annually report to the Congress any termination or\n mitigation under RRA 98 \xc2\xa7 1203. Section 1203 provides\n the IRS Commissioner with the authority to terminate the\n employment of IRS employees for certain proven violations2\n committed in connection with the performance of their\n official duties. The IRS Commissioner also has the sole\n authority to determine whether mitigating factors exist that\n weigh against termination.\n The TIGTA Office of Investigations (OI) is responsible for\n the initial investigation of all \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations except\n those complaints related to the failure to file a tax return or\n the understatement of Federal tax liability identified through\n the Employee Tax Compliance (ETC) Branch or complaints\n related to discrimination (civil rights) identified through the\n Equal Employment Opportunity process. The TIGTA OI is\n generally responsible for \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations related to\n employee false statements under oath, harassment,\n falsification of documents, assault or battery, confidentiality\n and disclosure of tax return information, or threat of\n examination.\n After initially evaluating the allegations, the TIGTA OI has\n the option of opening an official investigation or referring\n the allegations to the IRS through the Employee Conduct\n and Compliance Office (ECCO). The ECCO verifies that\n all of the \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations referred by the TIGTA OI are\n accounted for in the Executive Correspondence\n Management System (ECMS). The ECCO assesses these\n allegations through a fact-finding process and sends the\n results to the Board of Employee Professional\n Responsibility (BEPR). If the BEPR determines there were\n\n\n 1\n Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685 (codified as amended in scattered\n sections of 2 U.S.C., 5 U.S.C. app., 16 U.S.C., 19 U.S.C., 22 U.S.C.,\n 23 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 31 U.S.C., 38 U.S.C., and 49 U.S.C.).\n 2\n See Appendix V for an explanation of the acts and omissions requiring\n employee removal under RRA 98 \xc2\xa7 1203 and a description of the \xc2\xa7 1203\n process.\n Page 1\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\nSection 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n no \xc2\xa7 1203 issues present in the allegation or the allegation\n did not rise to the level of a \xc2\xa7 1203 violation, the BEPR will\n issue the employee either a \xe2\x80\x9cclearance,\xe2\x80\x9d a \xe2\x80\x9cclosed without\n action,\xe2\x80\x9d or a \xe2\x80\x9cno investigation\xe2\x80\x9d letter. Clearance letters are\n issued when the BEPR cannot substantiate that a \xc2\xa7 1203\n violation occurred; closed without action and no\n investigation letters are issued for less clear situations. For\n allegations for which the BEPR determines a \xc2\xa7 1203\n violation may have occurred, the case is returned to the\n TIGTA OI for investigation. The IRS notifies the TIGTA\n OI of the results of these reviews and the final action taken.\n If notification is not received in 180 calendar days, the\n TIGTA OI sends a quarterly email to the IRS following up\n on the status of the outstanding overage allegations.\n Once the TIGTA OI completes its review of a \xc2\xa7 1203\n allegation opened as an official investigation, a report of\n investigation is sent to the IRS. The ECCO reviews the\n reports of investigation for potential \xc2\xa7 1203 violations and\n forwards those cases to the Human Capital Office Labor\n Relations offices. The Labor Relations Specialists use the\n Automated Labor and Employee Relations Tracking System\n (ALERTS) to track the \xc2\xa7 1203 reports of investigation. The\n ALERTS tracks a wide range of labor activities that include\n investigations of IRS employee misconduct and other\n performance problems. The Labor Relations Specialists are\n tasked with assisting an employee\xe2\x80\x99s manager in evaluating\n the alleged \xc2\xa7 1203 violation(s). The IRS notifies the\n TIGTA OI of the results of the allegation reviews and the\n final actions taken.\n Allegations relating to an employee\xe2\x80\x99s failure to file a tax\n return or the understatement of an employee\xe2\x80\x99s Federal tax\n liability are referred from the ETC Branch to the Labor\n Relations offices for investigation. The case files involving\n General Schedule (GS)-14 employees and below are sent to\n the jurisdictional Labor Relations Office for resolution. The\n ETC allegations involving a senior executive, a GS-15, or a\n senior manager pay band employee are forwarded directly\n to the Centralized Adjudication Branch (CAB) for review.\n The Labor Relations Specialist controls the ETC cases on\n the ALERTS and assists the employee\xe2\x80\x99s local manager in\n determining whether the violation meets the \xc2\xa7 1203\n guidelines.\n Page 2\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n When an allegation is substantiated as a \xc2\xa7 1203 violation,\n the employee\xe2\x80\x99s second-line manager (Proposing Official)\n recommends removal in a letter to the employee. The\n employee then has the opportunity to provide a written or\n oral response. If after reviewing the circumstances of the\n case and the employee\xe2\x80\x99s response the next level manager\n (Deciding Official) agrees that the \xc2\xa7 1203 violation was\n substantiated, the case is forwarded to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review\n Board.\n The \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board is responsible for considering\n any mitigating circumstances in the case and either making\n a recommendation to the Commissioner for mitigation of\n the penalty or concluding that mitigation is not warranted.\n If mitigation is not warranted, the case is returned to the\n Labor Relations Office, where a removal letter is prepared\n and signed by the employee\xe2\x80\x99s manager. If mitigation is\n recommended, the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board presents the case\n to the Commissioner for the final determination of whether\n the penalty against the employee can be either mitigated or\n upheld.\n This review was performed at the IRS National\n Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the Human Capital\n Office during the period February through July 2004. The\n audit was conducted in accordance with Government\n Auditing Standards. We focused our review on allegations\n referred by the TIGTA OI and the ETC Branch. We did not\n evaluate the controls over the CAB cases in this review. In\n addition, we did not evaluate TIGTA OI operations and\n controls or the accuracy of the IRS \xc2\xa7 1203 determinations.\n Detailed information on our audit objective, scope, and\n methodology is presented in Appendix I. Major\n contributors to the report are listed in Appendix II.\n The IRS process ensured allegations referred by the TIGTA\nAllegations Referred From the\n OI were properly accounted for and timely addressed. The\nTreasury Inspector General for\n IRS controlled allegations on the ECMS, as appropriate, for\nTax Administration Were\n the 33 allegations referred by the TIGTA OI between\nProperly Controlled\n October 1, 2003, and December 31, 2003.\n The IRS also notified the TIGTA OI of the results of its\n reviews of allegations and the actions taken on allegations\n referred. We were advised that, if the IRS notification was\n\n Page 3\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n not received in 180 calendar days, the TIGTA OI would\n send a quarterly email to the IRS following up on the status\n of the outstanding overage allegations. However, there\n were no overage \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations listed at the time of our\n review.\n During Calendar Year 2003, the IRS closed 75 allegations\n referred by the TIGTA OI. An analysis of the ECMS\n records indicates the staffs from the BEPR and the ECCO\n reviewed and closed these complaints, on average, within\n 60 calendar days.\n The IRS process ensured reports of investigation referred by\nReports of Investigation\n the TIGTA OI were accounted for and addressed. The IRS\nReferred From the Treasury\n controlled cases on the ALERTS, as appropriate, in the\nInspector General for Tax\n 51 reports of investigation that were referred between\nAdministration Were Properly\n January 1, 2004, and March 31, 2004.\nControlled\n The IRS had also appropriately addressed the reports of\n investigation referred by the TIGTA OI. As of\n March 31, 2004, there were 11 reports of investigation open\n for over 180 calendar days without a resolution. Labor\n Relations Specialists should have followed up monthly on\n cases open on the ALERTS for over 180 calendar days. In\n 5 of the 11 cases, the ALERTS case histories indicated there\n was continual activity on the cases. However, in the\n remaining six case histories, the Labor Relations Specialists\n did not document specific follow-up activities. In these six\n cases, there were periods of inactivity spanning months\n without an explanation. If the requirement for reviewing\n cases over 180 calendar days and documenting those\n reviews had been implemented, it would have helped ensure\n cases with \xc2\xa7 1203 violations were timely addressed.\n An ALERTS analysis indicated that, during Calendar\n Year 2003, Labor Relations Specialists, with the assistance\n of the local managers, completed evaluating 184 reports of\n investigation with potential \xc2\xa7 1203 violations. On average,\n it took 102 calendar days for Labor Relations Specialists\n working with local management to complete and close these\n cases on the ALERTS or forward them to the \xc2\xa7 1203\n Review Board for final review.\n\n\n\n Page 4\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n The IRS process ensured allegations substantiated as\nThe Process Should Ensure\n \xc2\xa7 1203 violations by local managers were forwarded to the\nCases Are Timely Considered\n \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board and accounted for properly. The\nby the Section 1203 Review\n \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board analysts controlled a total of\nBoard\n 141 substantiated allegations referred by the Deciding\n Officials between January 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004.\n This included 126 ETC cases and 15 reports of investigation\n addressing other \xc2\xa7 1203 violations.\n During the first 5 months of Calendar Year 2003, the \xc2\xa7 1203\n Review Board met regularly to review substantiated \xc2\xa7 1203\n violations. However, for the 170-calendar day period\n between May 13, 2003, and October 30, 2003, the \xc2\xa7 1203\n Review Board only held 1 meeting.\n The \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board\xe2\x80\x99s Charter required meetings to be\n called with a quorum, including the Chair and two members\n of the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board, to process pending cases.\n Three voting members constituted a quorum. The \xc2\xa7 1203\n Review Board had a total of five members, including the\n Chair and four other permanent members. During Calendar\n Year 2003, three voting members of the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review\n Board, including the Chair, retired or moved to another\n position, which made it impossible to have a quorum.\n The delay in scheduling \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board meetings\n affected the timely review of substantiated \xc2\xa7 1203\n violations. In Calendar Year 2003, on average it took the\n \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board 87 calendar days to review the cases\n and make a final determination as to whether to make a\n recommendation to the Commissioner for mitigation or\n proceed with the employee\xe2\x80\x99s removal.\n To select new members and prevent future delays in\n scheduling \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board meetings, a new \xc2\xa7 1203\n Review Board Charter was written in October 2003. The\n new charter designated the new \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board\n members and provided for alternate members when needed.\n The new \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board consisted of four members,\n including a Chair and three alternate members, and an\n alternate Chair. These revisions should ensure sufficient\n members to have a quorum.\n In October 2003, the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board began to meet\n on a regular basis. During the first quarter of Calendar\n\n Page 5\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Year 2004, the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board, on average, was able\n to review pending cases and make the final determinations\n within 46 calendar days from the receipt date. This was a\n marked improvement over the average time of 87 calendar\n days it took the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board to review a case in\n Calendar Year 2003.\n The IRS has made a commitment to its employees to ensure:\n \xe2\x80\xa2 Fair and equitable treatment of taxpayers, taxpayer\n representatives, and employees consistent with \xc2\xa7 1203.\n \xe2\x80\xa2 Alleged \xc2\xa7 1203 violations are thoroughly reviewed and\n resolved promptly and properly.\n \xe2\x80\xa2 Existing procedures are used to resolve allegations that\n do not meet \xc2\xa7 1203.\n To meet this commitment, the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board should\n continue to meet on a regular basis. The \xc2\xa7 1203 Review\n Board plays a critical role for the Commissioner by timely\n examining all \xc2\xa7 1203 cases in which a Deciding Official has\n made a determination that there is a \xc2\xa7 1203 violation. We\n believe with the new \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board Charter\n expanding the number of available members, the \xc2\xa7 1203\n Review Board should be able to ensure the timely review of\n substantiated \xc2\xa7 1203 violations. These changes should also\n help limit the effect future retirements and transfers could\n have on the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board operations.\n The IRS process ensured cases forwarded from the ETC\nEmployee Tax Compliance\n Branch involving potential willful failure to file a tax return\nAllegation Controls Could Be\n and understatement of Federal tax liability, both potential\nEnhanced\n \xc2\xa7 1203 violations, were controlled on the ALERTS. Our\n analysis of the ALERTS records indicated the IRS\n controlled 1,302 cases that, where appropriate, were\n forwarded by the ETC Branch between January 1, 2004, and\n March 31, 2004.\n An analysis of the ALERTS records during Calendar Year\n 2003 indicated that local managers, with the assistance of\n the Labor Relations Specialists, completed evaluating the\n circumstances surrounding 4,454 referrals from the ETC\n\n\n\n\n Page 6\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\nSection 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Branch.3 On average, during Calendar Year 2003, it took\n 67 calendar days for Labor Relations Specialists to close\n these cases or forward the substantiated \xc2\xa7 1203 violation\n cases to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board. During this period, there\n were 93 ETC referrals substantiated as \xc2\xa7 1203 violations\n and forwarded to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board for\n consideration.\n Each of the 3 Labor Relations Area Senior Consultants\n established a control to review all cases open over\n 180 calendar days and to report the status of those cases. As\n of March 31, 2004, there were 198 ETC referrals open in the\n ALERTS for over 180 calendar days, 22 of which were\n open for over 360 calendar days, without a resolution as to\n whether the tax compliance issue was a substantiated \xc2\xa7 1203\n violation.\n\n ETC Referrals Open in the ALERTS\n Over 180 Days as of March 31, 2004\n 50\n 44\n 40 35\n 33 28 27\n Cases\n\n\n\n\n 30\n 22\n 20\n 9\n 10\n 0\n 181-210 211-240 241-270 271-300 301-330 331-360 >360\n Days\n\n Source: The IRS ALERTS.\n\n In 11 of the 22 cases, the Labor Relations Specialists did not\n document their follow-up activities or reasons for the delay\n in the case histories. In 8 of these 11 cases, there were\n periods of unexplained delays after the cases reached\n 180 calendar days old. One of the 8 cases showed no\n activity for nearly 2 years. In the remaining 11 cases,\n although there were no follow-up activities documented,\n there were notations in the ALERTS case histories that\n might justify the long delays. For example, there were cases\n in which the employee was on military leave or had health\n issues, but the related period was not specifically identified.\n\n\n 3\n This analysis included referrals made during Calendar Years 2002 and\n 2003.\n Page 7\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\nSection 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Our analysis indicated that each of the 3 Area Offices had\n cases over 360 calendar days old.\n The monthly review of all \xc2\xa7 1203 cases over 180 calendar\n days old is not a formal Internal Revenue Manual\n requirement. While less than 3 percent of cases fall into the\n over 180-calendar day category, there is still a need to\n identify and resolve delays in processing these cases. We\n believe continual management oversight is needed to ensure\n Labor Relations Specialists perform monthly follow-up\n reviews on all cases over 180 calendar days old. This will\n ensure more timely resolution of \xc2\xa7 1203 violations and\n eliminate unnecessary stress to employees in instances in\n which cases are needlessly delayed.\n\n Recommendation\n\n 1. The Chief Human Capital Officer should formalize in\n the Internal Revenue Manual the monthly requirement to\n conduct and document follow-up activity on all cases\n over 180 calendar days old and perform annual\n follow-up reviews to ensure the process is consistently\n followed.\n Management\xe2\x80\x99s Response: Management agreed and will\n include the recommended requirement in an Internal\n Revenue Manual currently under development concerning\n the processing of conduct cases. Training is also planned to\n implement the requirement.\n\n\n\n\n Page 8\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Appendix I\n\n\n Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology\n\nThe overall objective of this review was to determine whether the Internal Revenue Service\n(IRS) process ensured the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98) Section\n(\xc2\xa7) 12031 allegations referred for action and management responses were accounted for and\naddressed. Specifically, we focused our review on \xc2\xa7 1203 cases referred by the Treasury\nInspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Employee Tax Compliance (ETC)\nBranch. If the alleged issue involved a senior executive, a General Schedule 15, or a senior\nmanager pay band employee, the related allegations were forwarded directly to the Centralized\nAdjudication Branch (CAB) for review. Due to time constraints, we did not evaluate the\ncontrols over the CAB cases in this audit. In addition, this review did not evaluate TIGTA\nOffice of Investigations (OI) operations or controls or the accuracy of the IRS \xc2\xa7 1203\ndeterminations.\nTo accomplish our objective, we:\nI. Evaluated whether the IRS process accounted for and addressed \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations\n referred by the TIGTA OI.\n A. To determine whether cases were accounted for, traced the allegations from the\n TIGTA Performance and Results Information System (PARIS)2 that were forwarded\n during the period October 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003, to the IRS Executive\n Correspondence Management System (ECMS) database. We followed up on any\n cases not recorded to determine whether the omissions were appropriate.\n B. To determine whether the IRS monitored the TIGTA\xe2\x80\x99s 180-day listing for appropriate\n action, evaluated the actions taken by the IRS in response to the last TIGTA listing of\n the cases open for 180 days or more.\n C. To establish the average length of time it took the IRS to resolve the TIGTA\n \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations during Calendar Year 2003, used the data in the ECMS to\n calculate the average time and lapsed time between when the IRS received the\n complaint and when the case was closed on the ECMS database.\nII. Evaluated whether the IRS process accounted for and addressed referrals from the\n ETC Branch.\n\n\n\n\n1\n Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 2 U.S.C., 5 U.S.C. app.,\n16 U.S.C., 19 U.S.C., 22 U.S.C., 23 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 31 U.S.C., 38 U.S.C., and 49 U.S.C.).\n2\n The PARIS is the TIGTA OI case management system.\n Page 9\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n A. To determine whether all of the ETC cases were adequately accounted for, obtained\n an extract from the ETC database for the period January 1, 2003, through\n March 31, 2004, of cases forwarded for resolution and traced the cases for the period\n January 1, 2004, through March 31, 2004, to the Automated Labor and Employee\n Relations Tracking System (ALERTS) to verify whether all of the ETC cases were\n accounted for.\n B. To determine the average length of time it took the IRS to resolve the ETC\n allegations, researched existing criteria regarding the timing of \xc2\xa7 1203 case\n processing and, using the data in the ALERTS for Calendar Years 2002 and 2003,\n calculated the average lapsed time from when the case was received until the case\n was closed or sent to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board.\n C. To establish if the \xc2\xa7 1203 ETC allegation cases opened over 180 calendar days past\n the date of referral were monitored for appropriate action, obtained a listing of ETC\n allegations from the ALERTS data that were open over 180 days past the date of\n referral as of March 31, 2004, and determined whether the IRS took any specific\n actions to identify and address those cases.\nIII. Evaluated whether the IRS process accounted for and addressed the \xc2\xa7 1203 reports of\n investigation sent by the TIGTA for resolution.\n A. To determine whether the IRS process adequately accounted for the TIGTA \xc2\xa7 1203\n reports of investigation, obtained a PARIS extract of the \xc2\xa7 1203 reports of\n investigation forwarded to the IRS during the period January 1, 2004, through\n March 31, 2004, and verified whether those referred by the TIGTA were accounted\n for in the ALERTS.\n B. To determine the average length of time it took the IRS to resolve the TIGTA reports\n of investigation, researched existing criteria regarding the timing of \xc2\xa7 1203 case\n processing and, using the data in the ALERTS for Calendar Years 2002 and 2003,\n calculated the average time and lapsed time from when the case was received until\n when the case was closed or sent to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board for final review.\n C. To establish whether the \xc2\xa7 1203 reports of investigation open over 180 calendar days\n past the date of first referral were monitored for appropriate action, obtained a listing\n of reports of investigation from the ALERTS data that were still open over\n 180 calendar days past the date of referral as of March 31, 2004, and determined\n whether the IRS took any specific actions to identify and address those cases.\nIV. Determined whether the \xc2\xa7 1203 cases forwarded to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board for\n adjudication were accounted for and addressed.\n\n\n\n\n Page 10\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n A. To determine whether the cases forwarded to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board were properly\n controlled, obtained an ALERTS extract of the \xc2\xa7 1203 cases forwarded to the\n \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board from the Labor Relations Office during the period\n January 1, 2003, through March 31, 2004, and verified whether these cases were\n accounted for in the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board tracking system.\n B. To determine the length of time it took to adjudicate the closed cases submitted\n during Calendar Years 2003 and 2004, calculated the overall time the case spent at\n the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board until a final decision was made to recommend removal or\n mitigation. We interviewed key \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board staff to determine the\n methodology used to work the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board\xe2\x80\x99s cases. If delays exceeding\n 60 calendar days were identified in processing individual cases at the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review\n Board, we followed up to determine the cause and effect of the delay.\n\n\nNote: In performing this audit, we used the TIGTA OI PARIS data and the IRS ECMS, ETC,\nand ALERTS data to perform the queries needed to accomplish the above steps. We did not\ndetermine whether the PARIS, ETC, ECMS, or ALERTS data provided were complete. Data\nvalidation was limited to reviewing the data to extract the records used in our review. We\ncompared the records contained in the PARIS and the ETC data file to the records controlled in\nthe ALERTS and the ECMS extract.\n\n\n\n\n Page 11\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Appendix II\n\n\n Major Contributors to This Report\n\nMichael R. Phillips, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Wage and Investment Income\nPrograms)\nMary V. Baker, Director\nJames D. O\xe2\x80\x99Hara, Audit Manager\nCindy J. Harris, Lead Auditor\nJames M. Traynor, Senior Auditor\nTracy K. Harper, Auditor\nDavid Lowe, Auditor\nLynn M. Ross, Auditor\n\n\n\n\n Page 12\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Appendix III\n\n\n Report Distribution List\n\nCommissioner C\nOffice of the Commissioner \xe2\x80\x93 Attn: Chief of Staff C\nDeputy Commissioner for Operations Support OS\nChief, Agency-Wide Shared Services OS:A\nDirector, Workforce Relations OS:HC:R\nDirector, Employee Conduct and Compliance Office OS:HC:R:EC\nChief Counsel CC\nNational Taxpayer Advocate TA\nDirector, Office of Legislative Affairs CL:LA\nDirector, Office of Program Evaluation and Risk Analysis RAS:O\nOffice of Management Controls OS:CFO:AR:M\nAudit Liaison: Chief Human Capital Officer OS:HC\n\n\n\n\n Page 13\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Appendix IV\n\n\n Outcome Measures\n\nThis appendix presents detailed information on the measurable impact that our recommended\ncorrective action will have on tax administration. This benefit will be incorporated into our\nSemiannual Report to the Congress.\nType and Value of Outcome Measure:\n\xe2\x80\xa2 Protection of Resources \xe2\x80\x93 Potential; 198 Employee Tax Compliance (ETC) cases affected\n (see page 6).\nMethodology Used to Measure the Reported Benefit:\nFrom the population of ETC referrals received during Calendar Years 2002 and 2003, we\nidentified 198 ETC cases open on the Automated Labor and Employee Relations Tracking\nSystem that were over 180 days old as of March 31, 2004. We then performed a detailed review\nof 22 of the 198 cases that had remained open for more than 360 days as of March 31, 2004.\n\n\n\n\n Page 14\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Appendix V\n\n\n The Section 1203 Process\n\nOn July 22, 1998, the President signed into law the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Restructuring\nand Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98).1 This Act added Title 26 United States Code Section\n(\xc2\xa7) 7803 (d)(1)(A), requiring the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to\nannually report to the Congress any termination or mitigation under RRA 98 \xc2\xa7 1203. Section\n1203 provides the IRS Commissioner with the authority to terminate the employment of IRS\nemployees for certain proven violations committed in connection with the performance of their\nofficial duties. The IRS Commissioner also has the authority to determine whether mitigating\nfactors exist that weigh against termination.\nThe \xc2\xa7 1203 violations reported in the TIGTA Semiannual Report to the Congress are comprised\nof 10 possible acts or omissions as described under the RRA 98. If there is a final determination\nan IRS employee committed an act or omission, as described below, in the performance of the\nemployee\xe2\x80\x99s official duties, that employee shall be removed for cause based on charges of\nmisconduct.\nThe acts or omissions that may subject an IRS employee to removal are:\n 1. Willful failure to obtain the required approval signatures on documents authorizing the\n seizure of a taxpayer\xe2\x80\x99s home, personal belongings, or business assets.\n 2. Providing a false statement under oath with respect to a material matter involving a\n taxpayer or taxpayer representative.\n 3. With respect to a taxpayer, taxpayer representative, or other employee of the IRS, the\n violation of:\n A. Any right under the Constitution of the United States.\n B. Any civil right established under:\n i. Title VI or VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.2\n ii. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.3\n iii. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.4\n\n\n\n1\n Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 2 U.S.C., 5 U.S.C. app.,\n16 U.S.C., 19 U.S.C., 22 U.S.C., 23 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 31 U.S.C., 38 U.S.C., and 49 U.S.C.).\n2\n Pub. L. No. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 2 U.S.C., 28 U.S.C., and 42 U.S.C.).\n3\n 20 U.S.C.A. \xc2\xa7\xc2\xa7 1681-1688 (West Supp. 2003).\n4\n 29 U.S.C. \xc2\xa7\xc2\xa7 621-634 (2000).\n\n Page 15\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n iv. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975.5\n v. Section 501 or 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.6\n vi. Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.7\n 4. Falsifying or destroying documents to conceal mistakes made by any employee with\n respect to a matter involving a taxpayer or taxpayer representative.\n 5. Assault or battery on a taxpayer, taxpayer representative, or other employee of the IRS,\n but only if there is a criminal conviction or a final judgment by a court in a civil case,\n with respect to the assault or battery.\n 6. Violations of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Department of the Treasury\n regulations, or policies of the IRS (including the Internal Revenue Manual) for the\n purpose of retaliating against, or harassing, a taxpayer, taxpayer representative, or other\n employee of the IRS.\n 7. Willful misuse of the provisions of \xc2\xa7 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the\n purpose of concealing information from a Congressional inquiry.\n 8. Willful failure to file any return of tax required under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986\n on or before the date prescribed (including any extensions), unless such failure is due to\n reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.\n 9. Willful understatement of Federal tax liability, unless such understatement is due to\n reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.\n 10. Threatening to examine a taxpayer for the purpose of extracting personal gain or benefit.\n\nIn the TIGTA\xe2\x80\x99s March 2004 Semiannual Report to the Congress, of the 207 \xc2\xa7 1203 complaints\nsubstantiated, 98 percent related to the willful failure of an employee to file a tax return or the\nwillful understatement of his or her Federal tax liability. The other reported complaints violated\none of the other forbidden acts or omissions.\nAll \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations related to the acts or omissions outlined above, except those complaints\nrelated to the failure to file a tax return or the understatement of Federal tax liability identified\nthrough the Employee Tax Compliance (ETC) Branch or complaints related to discrimination\n(civil rights) identified through the Equal Employment Opportunity process, are received and\ninitially evaluated by the TIGTA Office of Investigations (OI) Office of Operations or through\nthe individual OI field offices. The TIGTA OI receives allegations through a variety of media\n(telephone, email, fax, mail, referral from the IRS, etc.). These \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations generally\nrelate to employee false statements under oath, harassment, falsification of documents, assault or\n\n\n5\n Pub. L. No. 94-135, title III, Sec. 301, 89 Stat. 728 (codified in 42 U.S.C.).\n6\n Pub. L. No. 93-112, 87 Stat. 355 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 15 U.S.C., 20 U.S.C., 29 U.S.C.,\n36 U.S.C., 41 U.S.C., and 42 U.S.C.).\n7\n 42 U.S.C. \xc2\xa7\xc2\xa7 12101-12213 (2000).\n Page 16\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\nbattery, confidentiality and disclosure of return information, or threat of examination. If the\nTIGTA believes a possible \xc2\xa7 1203 violation occurred, it will open an investigation. If the\nallegation is unclear as to whether a \xc2\xa7 1203 violation occurred, the TIGTA OI will forward the\nallegation to the Employee Conduct and Compliance Office (ECCO) on a complaint referral.\nThe allegations sent to the ECCO are tracked on the Executive Correspondence Management\nSystem and further evaluated to assess if the allegation has \xc2\xa7 1203 merit. ECCO analysts who\nare assigned the \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations conduct fact-finding and return their analysis and\nfindings/recommendations to the Board of Employee Professional Responsibility (BEPR). All\n\xc2\xa7 1203 allegations except the tax compliance issues and cases identified by the Discrimination\nComplaint Review Unit are reviewed by the BEPR. If the BEPR determines that no \xc2\xa7 1203\nviolation occurred, a \xe2\x80\x9cclearance\xe2\x80\x9d letter is issued. \xe2\x80\x9cClosed without action\xe2\x80\x9d and \xe2\x80\x9cno investigation\xe2\x80\x9d\nletters are issued for allegations that are less clear, such as when the complainant failed to allege\nwhich constitutional or civil right was violated. However, if the BEPR determines that an\nallegation may be a \xc2\xa7 1203 violation, the allegation is returned to the TIGTA OI for\ninvestigation.\nWhen a clearance letter is issued, the allegation and resulting action are recorded on the\nAutomated Labor and Employee Relations Tracking System (ALERTS). However, if the\nallegation is closed without action or a no investigation letter is issued, the case is not entered in\nthe ALERTS. However, the ECCO provides the TIGTA OI the results of the allegation reviews\nand the final action taken on each case. If notification is not received in 180 calendar days, the\nTIGTA OI Office of Operations sends a quarterly email to the BEPR following up on the status\nof the outstanding overage \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations.\nOnce the TIGTA OI completes its investigation of a \xc2\xa7 1203 allegation opened as an official case,\na report of investigation is sent to the IRS through the IRS Centralized Investigation Receipt and\nControl Unit (CIRCU). Information on the TIGTA reports of investigation is electronically\ndownloaded to the ALERTS. The CIRCU controls and forwards the TIGTA reports of\ninvestigation and allegations (the case files) to the ECCO. The Director of the ECCO clears\nunsubstantiated \xc2\xa7 1203 cases by issuing clearance letters. If a case was not cleared, the ECCO\nreviews the report of investigation and returns the case file to the CIRCU to forward to the\nservicing Labor Relations Office for resolution.\nLikewise, the allegations referred from the ETC Branch for failure to file a tax return or\nunderstatement of an employee\xe2\x80\x99s tax liability are electronically downloaded and tracked on the\nALERTS. Cases involving General Schedule (GS)-14 employees and below are sent to the\nservicing Labor Relations office for resolution of the outstanding tax matter.8\nOnce a Labor Relations office receives the TIGTA reports of investigation and the ETC cases\ndetermined to have \xc2\xa7 1203 merit, the Labor Relations Specialists control the cases and assist\n\n\n8\n If the alleged issue involves a senior executive, a GS-15, or a senior manager pay band employee, the related\nallegations are forwarded directly to Centralized Adjudication Branch for review. We did not evaluate these cases\nin this audit.\n Page 17\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\n Section 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\nlocal IRS management in resolving the \xc2\xa7 1203 allegations against their employees. The Labor\nRelations Specialists use the ALERTS to track and document \xc2\xa7 1203 cases resulting from the\nTIGTA reports of investigation and the ETC referrals. The Labor Relations Specialists gather\nthe information needed about an employee\xe2\x80\x99s willfulness and intent from the fact-finding\nconducted by the employee\xe2\x80\x99s manager and evaluate the \xc2\xa7 1203 allegation by consulting with the\nArea Labor Relations Senior Consultant. The result is a determination as to whether the\nviolation meets the \xc2\xa7 1203 guidelines. When it is agreed that a violation did occur and the\n\xc2\xa7 1203 allegation is substantiated, the Proposing Official (the employee\xe2\x80\x99s second-line manager)\nrecommends removal in a letter to the employee. The employee has the opportunity to provide a\nwritten or oral response, which is reviewed by the Deciding Official (the employee\xe2\x80\x99s third-line\nmanager). The case file including the employee\xe2\x80\x99s response is referred to the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review\nBoard.\nThe \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board has two purposes: (1) to ensure consistency in reviewing cases in\nwhich the allegations have been substantiated on \xc2\xa7 1203 cases and removal is proposed and\n(2) to make appropriate recommendations of other disciplinary actions on \xc2\xa7 1203 cases with\nmitigating circumstances to the Commissioner. As such, the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board reviews the\nallegation, the report of investigation, and the employee\xe2\x80\x99s statement and considers any mitigating\ncircumstances. The \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board then either makes a recommendation to the\nCommissioner to mitigate the penalty or decides to remove the employee. The \xc2\xa7 1203 Review\nBoard\xe2\x80\x99s decision to remove the employee is outlined in a memorandum signed by the \xc2\xa7 1203\nReview Board members, which is sent to the servicing Labor Relations Office where a removal\nletter to the employee is prepared and signed by the employee\xe2\x80\x99s manager. If mitigation is\nrecommended, the \xc2\xa7 1203 Review Board presents the case to the Commissioner, who either\nagrees with the Board\xe2\x80\x99s recommendation or determines another appropriate action based on the\ncircumstance of the case, the employee\xe2\x80\x99s prior history of misconduct, etc. The Commissioner\nsigns a memorandum outlining his or her decision, which is sent to the servicing Labor Relations\nOffice where a letter outlining the Commissioner\xe2\x80\x99s decision is prepared and signed by the\nemployee\xe2\x80\x99s manager and sent to the employee.\n\n\n\n\n Page 18\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\nSection 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n Appendix VI\n\n\nManagement\xe2\x80\x99s Response to the Draft Report\n\n\n\n\n Page 19\n\x0c Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998\nSection 1203 Allegations Were Properly Controlled\n\n\n\n\n Page 20\n\x0c'


type: contracts

jurisdiction: EU

text:
 30.11.2011
 FR
 Journal officiel de l'Union européenne
 L 317/13
 Modification de la convention internationale sur l'harmonisation des contrôles des marchandises aux frontières (convention sur l’harmonisation), Genève, le 21 octobre 1982 (1)
 Conformément à la notification de dépôt à l'ONU C.N.534.2011.TREATIES — 1, le texte suivant de l'annexe 9 à la convention sur l’harmonisation entre en vigueur le 30 novembre 2011:
 «ANNEXE 9
 ALLÈGEMENT DES FORMALITÉS DE PASSAGE DES FRONTIÈRES POUR LE TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL DE MARCHANDISES PAR CHEMIN DE FER
 Article premier
 Principes
 1. La présente annexe, qui complète les dispositions de la convention, a pour but de définir les mesures qu’il convient de prendre afin de faciliter et d’accélérer les formalités de passage des frontières pour les transports ferroviaires internationaux.
 2. Les parties contractantes s'engagent à collaborer en vue d'uniformiser autant que possible les formalités et les prescriptions relatives aux documents et modes opératoires dans tous les domaines liés au transport de marchandises par chemin de fer.
 Article 2
 Définition
 Par «gare frontière (d'échange)», on entend une gare ferroviaire où sont effectuées des procédures opérationnelles ou administratives en vue de permettre au fret ferroviaire de passer la frontière. Cette gare ferroviaire peut être située à la frontière ou à proximité de la frontière.
 Article 3
 Passage des frontières par les employés et autres personnes participant au transport ferroviaire international
 1. Les parties contractantes facilitent les formalités relatives à la délivrance de visas au personnel de conduite des trains, à celui des unités frigorifiques, au personnel d’accompagnement des marchandises et aux agents des gares frontières (d’échange) participant au transport ferroviaire international, conformément aux meilleures pratiques nationales applicables à tous les demandeurs de visa.
 2. Les formalités de passage des frontières par les personnes visées au paragraphe 1, y compris en ce qui concerne les documents de service qui confirment le statut de ces personnes, sont fixées sur la base d’accords bilatéraux.
 3. Lors des opérations de contrôle juxtaposé, les employés des services de surveillance des frontières, des douanes et des autres organes exerçant des fonctions de contrôle dans les gares frontières (d'échange), franchissent, dans le cadre de l'exercice de leurs fonctions, la frontière de l'État sur la base des documents définis par les parties contractantes pour leurs ressortissants.
 Article 4
 Prescriptions relatives aux gares frontières (d'échange)
 Afin de rationaliser et d’accélérer les formalités à accomplir dans les gares frontières (d’échange), les parties contractantes satisfont aux conditions minimales suivantes en ce qui concerne les gares frontières (d’échange) ouvertes à la circulation internationale de marchandises par chemin de fer:
 1)
 les gares frontières (d’échange) sont dotées des bâtiments (des locaux), des équipements, des aménagements et des moyens techniques permettant de procéder aux contrôles voulus tous les jours, vingt-quatre heures sur vingt-quatre, si le volume du trafic marchandises le justifie;
 2)
 les gares frontières (d’échange) dans lesquelles il est procédé à des inspections phytosanitaires, vétérinaires et autres contrôles sont dotées de tous les équipements et moyens techniques nécessaires;
 3)
 les capacités de réception et de débit des gares frontières (d’échange) et des aires attenantes doivent correspondre au volume du trafic marchandises;
 4)
 il est prévu des zones de contrôle et des installations pour l’entreposage provisoire des marchandises soumises à des contrôles, douaniers et autres;
 5)
 il est prévu du matériel, des installations, des systèmes d’information et des moyens de télécommunication permettant d’échanger préalablement des renseignements, notamment sur le volume des marchandises arrivant dans une gare frontière (d’échange), sur la base des indications figurant dans les lettres de voiture et les déclarations en douane;
 6)
 il est prévu dans les gares frontières (d'échange) la présence d'employés qualifiés des chemins de fer, des services douaniers, des services de surveillance des frontières et des autres organismes, en nombre suffisant au regard du volume du trafic marchandises;
 7)
 les gares frontières (d’échange) sont dotées des moyens techniques, des installations, des systèmes d’information et des moyens de télécommunication permettant, avant l’arrivée du matériel roulant à la frontière, de recevoir et d’utiliser les données relatives à l’agrément technique du matériel roulant, ainsi qu’aux inspections techniques effectuées par les autorités et les chemins de fer, dans le cadre de leurs compétences respectives à moins que les parties contractantes n’aient mis en place d’autres dispositifs pour remplir ces fonctions.
 Article 5
 Coopération entre pays voisins aux gares frontières (d’échange)
 Conformément aux dispositions de l'article 7 de la convention, les parties contractantes prennent les mesures concertées qui s’imposent en vue d’organiser les contrôles du matériel roulant, des conteneurs, des plates-formes de ferroutage ainsi que des marchandises transportées, ainsi que le traitement des documents d’expédition et d’accompagnement; de même, elles s’efforcent d’organiser tous les types de contrôles juxtaposés sur la base d'accords bilatéraux.
 Article 6
 Contrôles
 Les parties contractantes:
 1)
 mettent en place un mécanisme de reconnaissance mutuelle des inspections de tous types du matériel roulant, des conteneurs, des plates-formes de ferroutage, ainsi que des marchandises transportées, pour autant que les objectifs de ces inspections coïncident;
 2)
 procèdent au contrôle douanier selon le principe des contrôles sélectifs effectués sur la base de l’analyse et de la gestion des risques. D’une manière générale, les marchandises ne font pas l’objet d’un contrôle physique si les renseignements nécessaires les concernant ont été fournis et que les marchandises sont transportées dans du matériel roulant, dans un conteneur, sur une plate-forme de ferroutage ou dans un wagon de marchandises convenablement fermés et scellés;
 3)
 simplifient les contrôles dans les gares frontières (d’échange) en faisant effectuer, dans la mesure du possible, certains contrôles dans les gares de départ et de destination;
 4)
 sans préjudice de l’article 10 de la convention, de l’article 4 de l’annexe 2, de l’article 5 de l’annexe 3 et de l’article 5 de l’annexe 4, ne procèdent à des inspections de marchandises en transit que lorsque les circonstances ou les risques réels le justifient.
 Article 7
 Délais d’exécution réglementaires
 1. Les parties contractantes veillent à ce que soient respectés les délais établis par la voie d’accords bilatéraux pour l’exécution des opérations techniques liées à la réception et à la remise des trains dans les gares frontières (d’échange), y compris des différents contrôles, et s’efforcent de réduire ces délais en travaillant à améliorer les technologies et les équipements utilisés. Les parties contractantes conviennent de réduire le plus possible les délais dans les années à venir.
 2. Les parties contractantes enregistrent les retards des trains ou des wagons aux gares frontières (d’échange) et communiquent ces informations aux intervenants concernés, qui les examinent et proposent des mesures visant à réduire ces retards.
 Article 8
 Documents
 1. Les parties contractantes veillent à ce que les documents de transport et d’accompagnement soient établis conformément à la législation des pays importateurs et des pays de transit.
 2. Dans leurs relations, les parties contractantes s’efforcent de réduire le nombre de documents sur support papier et de simplifier les procédures en matière de documentation en communiquant par voie électronique les renseignements figurant dans les lettres de voiture et les déclarations douanières accompagnant les marchandises établies conformément à leurs législations respectives.
 3. Les parties contractantes s’efforcent de communiquer à l’avance aux services douaniers les renseignements relatifs aux marchandises acheminées jusqu’aux gares frontières (d’échange) figurant dans les lettres de voiture et les déclarations douanières. Le format de ces renseignements, ainsi que les modalités et les délais de leur transmission, sont définis par les parties contractantes.
 Article 9
 Utilisation de la lettre de voiture ferroviaire CIME/SMGS
 Les parties contractantes peuvent utiliser, à la place des documents d'accompagnement énoncés dans les traités internationaux, la lettre de voiture ferroviaire CIME/SMGS, qui pourrait également servir de document douanier.»
 (1) JO L 126 du 12.5.1984, p. 1.


text:
 Avis juridique important
 |
 11985I/PRO/24
 Documentos relativos a la adhesión del Reino de Espana y de la Republica Portuguesa a las Comunidades Europeas, Acta relativa a las condiciones de adhesión del Reino de Espana y de la Republica Portuguesa y a las adaptaciones de los Tratados, Protocolo No. 24 sobre las estructuras agricolas en Portugal
 Diario Oficial n° L 302 de 15/11/1985 p. 0464
 Protocolo n o 24 sobre las estructuras agrícolas en Portugal 1 . Desde el momento de la adhesión , se emprenderá en beneficio de Portugal y de conformidad con los objetivos de la política agrícola común , una acción común que comprenderá un programa específico de desarrollo adaptado a las particulares condiciones estructurales de la agricultura portuguesa . Este programa , que abastecerá un período total de diez años , tendrá especialmente como objetivos una mejora sensible de las condiciones de producción y de comercialización lo mismo que una mejora del conjunto de la situación estructural del sector agrícola portugués . 2 . La Comunidad ejecutará dicho programa de acciones en beneficio de Portugal de manera análoga a las acciones que ya existen en la Comunidad para las regiones más desfavorecidas . Este programa estará encaminado a desarrollar las infraestructuras rurales , la divulgación agrícola y las posibilidades de formación profesional y contribuirá a la reorientación de la producción , incluida la irrigación , cuando ésta se revele necesaria , el drenaje y la mejora de los pastos . Además , la Comunidad ejecutará dicho programa con objeto de responder más especificamente a las necesidades y a la situación particular de Portugal . Este programa incluirá , en particular , medidas que están aún por definir , destinadas a contribuir eficazmente al cese de actividades . En cualquier caso , estas medidas no podrán ser menos favorables que aquellas de las que se han beneficiado los Estados miembros de la Comunidad actual y las condiciones de eligibilidad de financiación comunitaria deberán ser adaptadas al carácter específico de la situación portuguesa . 3 . En cuanto al deseado desarrollo de las estructuras agrícolas en Portugal , la Comunidad contribuirá al mismo con vistas a alcanzar objetivos a corto , medio y largo plazo : a ) a corto plazo , mejorar la divulgación agrícola y las condiciones de explotación existentes mediante una mejor distribución de los recursos disponibles , sin que ello implique una modificación del tamaño de las explotaciones ni importantes medidas de racionalización ; además , mejorar las instalaciones de transformación y de comercialización en la medida de lo posible , habida cuenta de las características dominantes o previstas de la producción agrícola ; b ) a medio plazo , desarrollar una buena infraestructura y la irrigación de las zonas de secano , fomentar una mejor utilización de las tierras y establecer y desarrollar acciones eficaces de divulgación , de enseñanza y de investigación agrícolas . En este contexto , también se podrán abordar los aspectos a más largo plazo de mejora de la cabaña , como por ejemplo los controles de rendimiento y los controles de descendencia de los animales machos reproductores ; c ) a largo plazo , se trataría esencialmente de favorecer la concentración de las explotaciones divididas y la ampliación de las que actualmente no son viables . Al mismo tiempo , sería necesario corregir el desequilibrio de la pirámide de las edades de la población agrícola estimulando el paso a la jubilación de los agricultores de más edad y , según los casos , aplicando medidas dirigidas a facilitar el acceso de los jóvenes a la profesión en condiciones que garanticen la viabilidad a largo plazo de su explotación . 4 . El coste total previsible a cargo del Fondo Europeo de Orientación y de Garantía Agrícola , Sección Orientación , para la aplicación del programa específico que cubre en particular las regiones desheredadas de Portugal , incluidas las de las regiones autónomas de las Azores y de Madera será del orden de 700 millones de ECU para su período de aplicación de diez años , es decir , del orden de 70 millones de ECU por año . 5 . Los porcentajes de financiación comunitaria de los gastos elegibles a cargo del programa específico se fijarán teniendo en cuenta los tipos que han sido aplicados o que son o serán aplicados en las regiones más desfavorecidas de la Comunidad para acciones análogas . 6 . El Consejo , por mayoría cualificada a propuesta de la Comisión , adoptará en las condiciones previstas en el artículo 258 del Acta de adhesión , las modalidades del programa específico . 7 . La Comisión presentará al Consejo , antes del 1 de enero de 1991 , un informe de evaluación relativo a la ejecución del programa específico .


type: legislation

text:
 IL-KUMMISSJONI EWROPEA
 Brussell, 2.10.2015
 COM(2015) 482 final
 2015/0232(NLE)
 Proposta għal
 DEĊIŻJONI TAL-KUNSILL
 li tistabbilixxi l-pożizzjoni li għandha tittieħed f'isem l-Unjoni Ewropea fil-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit skont il-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea, fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta' linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim
 MEMORANDUM TA’ SPJEGAZZJONI
 1.IL-KUNTEST TAL-PROPOSTA
 Il-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea daħal fis-seħħ fl-1 ta' Diċembru 2014. Il-Ftehim stabbilixxa, fuq il-bażi ta’ reċiproċità, drittijiet u obbligi legalment vinkolanti għall-għan ta’ simplifikazzjoni tal-proċeduri tal-ħruġ tal-viżi għaċ-ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde u tal-UE. L-Artikolu 10 ta’ dan il-Ftehim jistabbilixxi Kumitat Konġunt bil-kompitu li jissorvelja l-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim.
 Il-linji gwida komuni għal dan il-Ftehim huma neċessarji sabiex tiġi żgurata l-implimentazzjoni armonizzata għal kollox tal-Ftehim għall-Faċilitazzjoni tal-Viża fost il-konsulati tal-Istati Membri u tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde, u biex tiġi ċċarata r-relazzjoni bejn id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim u d-dispożizzjonijiet tal-partijiet kontraenti li jibqgħu japplikaw għal ħruġ ta' viżi mhux kopert mill-Ftehim.
 Il-linji gwida ta’ implimentazzjoni li għandhom jiġu adottati mhux se jkunu parti mill-Ftehim; madankollu huwa rrakkomandat ħafna li l-persunal diplomatiku u konsulari jsegwihom b'mod konsistenti meta jimplimenta d-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim.
 Il-Linji Gwida ġew ippreparati skont il-Ftehim li jinkludi dispożizzjonijiet dwar faċilitazzjonijiet fil-proċeduri għall-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjara intenzjonata ta’ mhux aktar minn 90 jum f’kull perjodu ta’ 180 jum fiż-żona ta’ Schengen għaċ-ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde u tal-UE, kif ukoll skont il-leġiżlazzjoni tal-UE fil-qasam tal-politika komuni tal-viżi, bħall-Kodiċi dwar il-Viżi.
 2.IL-BAŻI ĠURIDIKA, IS-SUSSIDJARJETÀ U L-PROPORZJONALITÀ
 •Il-bażi ġuridika
 Il-Linji Gwida, li għandhom jiġu adottati abbażi tas-setgħa mogħtija lir-rappreżentant tal-Kummissjoni fil-Kumitat Konġunt abbażi ta’ din il-proposta, għandhom jispjegaw fid-dettall id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim u jipprovdu gwida dwar l-implimentazzjoni tiegħu.
 Il-Linji Gwida jqisu d-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Kodiċi dwar il-Viżi u atti leġiżlattivi oħra fil-qasam tal-politika dwar il-viżi tal-UE sabiex jiġi żgurat li l-persunal konsulari tal-Istati Membri jaġixxi skont l-acquis tal-UE dwar il-viżi meta jimplimentaw id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim għall-Faċilitazzjoni tal-Viża.
 Id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim għandhom preċedenza fuq id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Kodiċi dwar il-Viżi fuq kwistjonijiet irregolati mit-tnejn.
 3.IR-RIŻULTATI TAL-EVALWAZZJONIJIET EX POST, IL-KONSULTAZZJONIJIET MAL-PARTIJIET IKKONĊERNATI U L-VALUTAZZJONIJIET TAL-IMPATT
 Il-Linji Gwida annessi mal-Anness ta’ din il-proposta għal Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill huma r-riżultat ta’ konsultazzjonijiet mal-Istati Membri fil-kuntest tal-Grupp ta’ Ħidma dwar il-Viża fis-7.04.2015. u fil-11.05.2015. Il-Kummissjoni kkonsultat dawn il-Linji Gwida mal-awtoritajiet responsabbli f’Cabo Verde f’Novembru 2014.
 4.L-IMPLIKAZZJONIJIET BAĠITARJI
 Din il-proposta ma għandha l-ebda impatt fuq il-baġit tal-UE.
 2015/0232 (NLE)
 Proposta għal
 DEĊIŻJONI TAL-KUNSILL
 li tistabbilixxi l-pożizzjoni li għandha tittieħed f'isem l-Unjoni Ewropea
 fil-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit skont il-Ftehim
 bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde
 dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat qosra
 għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea,
 fir-rigward
 tal-adozzjoni ta' linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim
 IL-KUNSILL TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA,
 Wara li kkunsidra t-Trattat dwar il-Funzjonament tal-Unjoni Ewropea, u b'mod partikolari l-Artikolu 218(9) tiegħu,
 Wara li kkunsidra l-proposta mill-Kummissjoni Ewropea,
 Billi:
 (1)L-Artikolu 10 tal-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea ("il-Ftehim") jistabbilixxi Kumitat Konġunt. Huwa jipprovdi li l-Kumitat Konġunt għandu b'mod partikolari jissorvelja l-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim.
 (2)Ir-Regolament (KE) Nru 810/2009 tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill stabbilixxa l-proċeduri u l-kundizzjonijiet għall-ħruġ ta' viżi għal tranżitu jew żjarat intenzjonati fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri ta' mhux aktar minn 90 jum fi kwalunkwe perjodu ta' 180 jum.
 (3)Il-linji gwida komuni huma neċessarji sabiex tiġi żgurata l-implimentazzjoni armonizzata għal kollox tal-Ftehim fost il-konsulati tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Istati Membri, u biex tiġi ċċarata r-relazzjoni bejn id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim u d-dispożizzjonijiet tal-partijiet kontraenti li jibqgħu japplikaw għal ħruġ ta' viżi mhux kopert mill-Ftehim.
 (4)Huwa xieraq li tiġi stabbilita l-pożizzjoni li għandha tiġi adottata f'isem l-Unjoni fil-Kumitat Konġunt rigward l-adozzjoni tal-linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim,
 ADOTTA DIN ID-DEĊIŻJONI:
 Artikolu 1
 Il-pożizzjoni li għandha tiġi adottata f'isem l-Unjoni fil-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit bl-Artikolu 10 tal-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta' viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea, fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta' linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim, tkun ibbażata fuq l-abbozz tad-Deċiżjoni tal-Kumitat Konġunt anness ma' din id-Deċiżjoni.
 Artikolu 2
 Din id-Deċiżjoni tidħol fis-seħħ fid-data tal-adozzjoni tagħha.
 Magħmul fi Brussell,
 Għall-Kunsill
 Il-President
 ---documentbreak---
 IL-KUMMISSJONI EWROPEA
 Brussell, 2.10.2015
 COM(2015) 482 final
 ANNESS
 Proposta għal Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsillli tistabbilixxi l-pożizzjoni li għandha tittieħed f'isem l-Unjoni Ewropeafil-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit skont il-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta' viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea, fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta' linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim
 ANNESS
 Proposta għal Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill
 li tistabbilixxi l-pożizzjoni li għandha tittieħed f'isem l-Unjoni Ewropea
 fil-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit skont il-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta' viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea, fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta' linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim
 ABBOZZ
 DEĊIŻJONI Nru 1/2015 TAL-KUMITAT KONĠUNT
 STABBILIT MILL-FTEHIM
 BEJN L-UNJONI EWROPEA U R-REPUBBLIKA TA' CABO VERDE
 DWAR L-IFFAĊILITAR TAL-ĦRUĠ TA' VIŻI GĦAL ŻJARAT QOSRA GĦAL ĊITTADINI TAR-REPUBBLIKA TA' CABO VERDE U TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA
 ta’...
 fir-rigward tal-adozzjoni ta' linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim
 IL-KUMITAT KONĠUNT,
 Wara li kkunsidra l-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea (“il-Ftehim”), u b'mod partikolari l-Artikolu 10 tiegħu,
 Billi l-Ftehim daħal fis-seħħ fl-1 ta' Diċembru 2014,
 IDDEĊIEDA KIF ĠEJ:
 Artikolu 1
 Il-linji gwida komuni għall-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea huma stabbiliti fl-anness ta' din id-Deċiżjoni.
 Artikolu 2
 Din id-Deċiżjoni tidħol fis-seħħ fil-jum tal-adozzjoni tagħha.
 Magħmul fi ...
 Għall-Unjoni Ewropea
 Għar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde
 ANNESS
 LINJI GWIDA KOMUNI GĦALL-IMPLIMENTAZZJONI TAL-FTEHIM
 BEJN L-UNJONI EWROPEA U R-REPUBBLIKA TA' CABO VERDE
 DWAR L-IFFAĊILITAR TAL-ĦRUĠ TA' VIŻI GĦAL ŻJARAT QOSRA GĦAL ĊITTADINI TAR-REPUBBLIKA TA' CABO VERDE U TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA
 L-għan tal-Ftehim bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat qosra għal ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea, li daħal fis-seħħ fl-1.12.2014, hu li jiffaċilita, abbażi tar-reċiproċità, il-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal żjarat intiżi ta’ mhux aktar minn 90 jum f’kull perjodu ta’ 180 jum għaċ-ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea.
 Il-Ftehim jistabbilixxi drittijiet u obbligi legalment vinkolanti reċiproċi għall-għan ta’ simplifikazzjoni tal-proċeduri tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għaċ-ċittadini tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea.
 Dawn il-Linji Gwida, adottati mill-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit bil-Ftehim, għandhom l-għan li jiżguraw l-implimentazzjoni korretta u armonizzata tad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim mill-missjonijiet diplomatiċi u l-postazzjonijiet konsulari tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Istati Membri. Dawn il-Linji Gwida mhumiex parti mill-Ftehim u għalhekk mhumiex legalment vinkolanti. Madankollu, huwa rrakkomandat ħafna li l-persunal diplomatiku u konsulari jsegwihom b'mod konsistenti meta jimplimenta d-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Ftehim.
 Il-Linji Gwida huma maħsuba bħala dokument ħaj, li jiġi aġġornat fid-dawl tal-esperjenzi tal-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim taħt ir-responsabbiltà tal-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit bl-Artikolu 10 tal-Ftehim.
 I.
 KWISTJONIJIET ĠENERALI.
 1.1.
 L-għan u l-ambitu tal-applikazzjoni.
 L-Artikolu 1 tal-Ftehim jistipula li: "L-għan ta’ dan il-Ftehim hu sabiex jiffaċilita, fuq il-bażi ta’ reċiproċità, il-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni għal żjarat intiżi għal mhux aktar minn 90 jum għal kull perjodu ta’ 180 jum."
 Il-Ftehim japplika għaċ-ċittadini kollha tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni Ewropea li japplikaw għal viża għal żjara qasira, irrispettivament mill-pajjiż ta' residenza tagħhom.
 Il-Ftehim ma japplikax għal persuni apolidi li jkollhom permess ta’ residenza maħruġ mir-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde jew mill-Istati Membri tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Ir-regoli normali tal-acquis tal-UE dwar il-viżi japplikaw għal din il-kategorija ta’ persuni.
 1.2.
 L-ambitu tal-Ftehim.
 L-Artikolu 2 tal-Ftehim jistipula li:
 "1.
 Il-miżuri biex jiġi ffaċilitat il-ħruġ ta’ viżi stabbiliti f’dan il-Ftehim għandu japplika għal ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni biss safejn dawn mhumiex eżenti mill-ħtieġa ta’ viża skont il-liġijiet u r-regolamenti tal-Unjoni jew l-Istati Membri tagħha jew ta' Cabo Verde, jew taħt dan il-ftehim jew ftehimiet oħrajn internazzjonali.
 2.
 Il-liġi nazzjonali ta' Cabo Verde jew tal-Istati Membri jew il-liġi tal-Unjoni għandhom japplikaw fi kwistjonijiet li mhumiex koperti mid-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-Ftehim, bħaċ-ċaħda milli tinħareġ viża, ir-rikonoxximent ta’ dokumenti ta’ vvjaġġar, evidenza ta’ mezzi ta’ għixien suffiċjenti u ċ-ċaħda tad-dħul u miżuri ta’ espulsjoni."
 Mingħajr preġudizzju għall-Artikolu 8 (li jipprevedi l-eżenzjoni mill-ħtieġa tal-viża għal detenturi ta’ passaporti diplomatiċi jew tas-servizz maħruġa mir-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u mill-Istati Membri), il-Ftehim ma jaffettwax ir-regoli eżistenti dwar l-obbligi tal-viża u l-eżenzjonijiet mill-viża. Pereżempju, l-Artikolu 4 tar-Regolament tal-Kunsill Nru 539/2001 jippermetti lill-Istati Membri jeżentaw mill-ħtieġa ta’ viża lil ekwipaġġi ċivili tal-ajru u tat-tbaħħir fost kategoriji oħrajn.
 Il-Kodiċi Komunitarju dwar il-Viżi japplika għall-ħruġ kollu mhux kopert mill-Ftehim bħalma huma d-determinazzjoni tal-Istat Membru ta’ Schengen responsabbli għall-ipproċessar ta’ applikazzjoni għal viża, il-motivazzjoni ta’ rifjut li tinħareġ viża u d-dritt ta’ appell kontra deċiżjoni negattiva. Barra minn hekk, ir-regoli ta’ Schengen u l-liġi nazzjonali jkomplu japplikaw ukoll għal ħruġ li mhux kopert mill-Ftehim, bħar-rikonoxximent ta’ dokumenti ta’ vjaġġar, il-prova ta’ evidenza dokumentata dwar l-għan tal-vjaġġ u mezzi suffiċjenti ta’ sussistenza, iż-żmien ta’ pproċessar ta’ applikazzjonijiet għall-viża, ir-rifjut ta’ dħul fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri tal-UE, il-miżuri ta’ tkeċċija.
 Anki jekk il-kundizzjonijiet previsti fil-Ftehim ikunu ssodisfati, il-ħruġ tal-viża xorta jista' jiġi rifjutat jekk il-kundizzjonijiet stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 5 tal-Kodiċi tal-Fruntieri ta’ Schengen ma jiġux issodisfati, jiġifieri l-persuna ma tkunx fil-pussess ta’ dokument validu tal-ivvjaġġar, jekk tkun inħarġet twissija fis-SIS, jekk il-persuna titqies bħala ta' periklu għall-ordni pubbliku, is-sigurtà interna, eċċ.
 Flessibbiltajiet oħra għall-ħruġ ta’ viżi permessi mill-Kodiċi Komunitarju dwar il-Viżi jibqgħu japplikaw. Pereżempju, viżi għal dħul multiplu għal perjodu ta' validità twil - sa ħames snin - jistgħu jinħarġu lil kategoriji ta' persuni apparti dawk imsemmija fl-Artikolu 4, jekk il-kundizzjonijiet previsti fil-Kodiċi Komunitarju dwar il-Viżi (l-Artikolu 24) jiġu ssodifati. Bl-istess mod, id-dispożizzjonijiet li jinsabu fil-Kodiċi li jippermettu eżenzjoni jew tnaqqis tat-tariffa tal-viża jkomplu japplikaw (l-Artikolu 16 (5) u (6)).
 Il-liġi nazzjonali ta' Cabo Verde tkompli tapplika għall-ħruġ kollu relatat mal-ħruġ ta’ viżi liċ-ċittadini tal-UE minn Cabo Verde u mhux koperti mill-Ftehim, bħal dawk imsemmija fit-tliet paragrafi preċedenti.
 1.3.
 Tipi ta’ viżi li jaqgħu fl-ambitu tal-Ftehim.
 L-Artikolu 3 (d) tal-Ftehim jiddefinixxi "viża" bħala "awtorizzazzjoni maħruġa jew deċiżjoni meħuda minn Stat Membru jew minn Cabo Verde li hija meħtieġa bl-għan ta’ dħul, għal għanijiet ta’ transitu jew għal żjara intiża għal mhux aktar minn 90 jum b’kollox, fit-territorju ta’ dak l-Istat Membru jew ta’ diversi Stati Membri jew fit-territorju ta' Cabo Verde".
 Il-faċilitazzjonijiet ipprovduti mill-Ftehim japplikaw kemm għal viżi uniformi validi għat-territorju kollu tal-Istati Membri kif ukoll għal viżi b’validità territorjali limitata (VTL). Dawn japplikaw ukoll għal viżi għal żjarat qosra u ta' transitu maħruġa minn Cabo Verde għaċ-ċittadini tal-UE.
 1.4.
 Kalkolu tat-tul ta' żjara awtorizzata minn viża
 Id-definizzjoni attwali fil-Kodiċi tal-Fruntieri ta' Schengen tan-nozzjoni ta' żjarat qosra tgħid hekk: "90 jum f'kull perijodu ta’ 180 jum, li jinkludi li jitqies il-perjodu ta' 180 jum li jippreċedi kull jum ta' soġġorn".
 Il-jum tad-dħul jiġi kkalkulat bħala l-ewwel jum taż-żjara fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri u l-jum tal-ħruġ jiġi kkalkulat bħala l-aħħar jum taż-żjara fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri. Il-kunċett ta’ “kull” jimplika l-applikazzjoni ta’ perjodu ta’ referenza "mobbli" ta' 180 jum, b'mod li wieħed iħares lura, lejn kull ġurnata tal-aħħar perjodu ta' 180 jum, sabiex jiġi vverifikat jekk ir-rekwiżit tad-90 jum għal kull perjodu ta' 180 jum għadux jiġi ssodisfat. Dan ifisser li nuqqas mit-territorju tal-Istati Membri għal perjodu mhux interrott ta’ 90 jum jippermetti żjara ġdida ta' mhux aktar minn 90 jum.
 Kalkolatur ta' żjarat qosra, li jista' jintuża biex jiġi kkalkolat il-perjodu taż-żjara permissibbli skont ir-regoli l-ġodda, jista’ jinsab onlajn fl-indirizz li ġej: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/border-crossing/index_en.htm.
 Eżempju tal-kalkolu taż-żjara fuq il-bażi tad-definizzjoni l-ġdida:
 Persuna li jkollha viża għal dħul multiplu valida għal (1) sena (18.4.2014 – 18.4.2015) tidħol għall-ewwel darba fid-19.4.2014 u toqgħod hemm għal tlett (3) ijiem. Imbagħad l-istess persuna tidħol mill-ġdid fit-18.6.2014 u toqgħod hemm għal 86 jum. X’inhi s-sitwazzjoni f'dati speċifiċi? Din il-persuna meta se titħalla tidħol mill-ġdid?
 Fil-11.9.2014: Tul l-aħħar 180 jum (16.3.2014 - 11.9.2014) il-persuna kienet qagħdet hemm għal tlett (3) ijiem (19. — 21.4.2014) flimkien ma’ 86 jum (18.6.2014 - 11.9.2014) = 89 jum = Mhux każ ta’ permanenza b’awtorizzazzjoni skaduta. Il-persuna tista' tibqa' għal massimu ta' ġurnata (1) oħra.
 Mis-16.10.2014: Il-persuna tista’ tidħol għal żjara ta’ tlett (3) ijiem addizzjonali (fis-16.10.2014, iż-żjara fid-19.4.2014 issir irrilevanti (barra mill-perjodu ta’ 180 jum); fis-17.10.2014 iż-żjara fl-20.4.2014 issir irrilevanti (barra mill-perjodu ta’ 180 jum; eċċ.).
 Mill-15.12.2014: Il-persuna tista’ tidħol għal żjara ta’ 86 jum addizzjonali (fil-15.12.2014, iż-żjara fit-18.6.2014 issir irrilevanti (barra mill-perjodu ta’ 180 jum); fis-16.12.2014, iż-żjara fid-19.6.2014 issir irrilevanti, eċċ.).
 1.5.
 Is-sitwazzjoni rigward l-Istati Membri li għadhom ma japplikawx għal kollox l-acquis ta’ Schengen, l-Istati Membri li ma jipparteċipawx fil-Politika Komuni tal-UE dwar il-Viżi u pajjiżi assoċjati.
 L-Istati Membri li ssieħbu fl-UE fl-2004 (Ċipru, l-Estonja, l-Ungerija, il-Latvja, il-Litwanja, Malta, il-Polonja, is-Slovakkja, is-Slovenja u r-Repubblika Ċeka), fl-2007 (il-Bulgarija u r-Rumanija), u fl-2013 (il-Kroazja) huma marbuta b’dan il-Ftehim mid-data tad-dħul fis-seħħ tiegħu.
 Huma biss il-Bulgarija, il-Kroazja, Ċipru u r-Rumanija, li għadhom mhux qed jimplimentaw għal kollox l-acquis ta' Schengen. Dawn se jkomplu joħorġu viżi nazzjonali b’validità limitata għat-territorju nazzjonali tagħhom stess. Ladarba dawn l-Istati Membri jimplimentaw għal kollox l-acquis ta’ Schengen, dawn se jkomplu japplikaw il-Ftehim.
 Il-liġi nazzjonali tibqa' tapplika għall-kwistjonijiet kollha mhux koperti mill-Ftehim sad-data tal-implimentazzjoni sħiħa tal-acquis ta’ Schengen minn dawn l-Istati Membri. Minn dik id-data, ir-regoli ta’ Schengen/il-liġi nazzjonali japplikaw għal ħruġ mhux regolat minn dan il-Ftehim.
 Il-Bulgarija, il-Kroazja, Ċipru u r-Rumanija huma awtorizzati li jirrikonoxxu l-permessi ta’ residenza, il-viżi D u l-viżi għal żjarat qosra maħruġa mill-Istati ta’ Schengen u l-pajjiżi assoċjati għal żjarat qosra fit-territorju tagħhom.
 Skont l-Artikolu 21 tal-Konvenzjoni li timplimenta l-Ftehim ta’ Schengen, l-Istati ta’ Schengen kollha huma obbligati li jirrikonoxxu l-viżi għal żjarat twal u l-permessi ta’ residenza maħruġa minn xulxin bħala validi għal żjarat qosra fit-territorji ta’ xulxin. L-Istati Membri ta’ Schengen jaċċettaw il-permessi ta’ residenza, il-viżi D u l-viżi għal żjarat qosra ta’ pajjiżi assoċjati għal dħul u żjarat qosra u viċi versa.
 Dan il-Ftehim ma japplikax għar-Renju Unit, l-Irlanda u d-Danimarka iżda jinkludi dikjarazzjonijiet konġunti dwar ix-xewqa li jiġu konklużi ftehimiet bilaterali dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-viża bejn ir-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u dawn l-Istati Membri.
 Għalkemm assoċjati ma’ Schengen, l-Iżlanda, in-Norveġja, l-Iżvizzera u l-Liechtenstein mhumiex marbuta mill-Ftehim. Madankollu, il-Ftehim fih dikjarazzjoni konġunta dwar ix-xewqa li jiġu konklużi ftehimiet bilaterali dwar l-iffaċilitar tal-viża bejn ir-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u dawn il-pajjiżi ta’ Schengen mingħajr dewmien.
 1.6.
 Il-Ftehim/il-Ftehimiet Bilaterali tal-Unjoni Ewropea.
 L-Artikolu 11 tal-Ftehim jistipula li:
 "Sa mid-dħul fis-seħħ tiegħu, dan il-Ftehim għandu jieħu preċedenza fuq id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ kwalunkwe ftehimiet bilaterali jew multilaterali mwettqa bejn l-Istati Membri u Cabo Verde, safejn id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dawn il-ftehimiet jew arranġamenti jkopru kwistjonijiet li huma indirizzati mill-Ftehim preżenti."
 Mid-data tad-dħul fis-seħħ tal-Ftehim, id-dispożizzjonijiet fil-Ftehimiet bilaterali fis-seħħ bejn l-Istati Membri u r-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar ħruġ trattat mill-ftehim għall-faċilitazzjoni tal-viża ma jibqgħux japplikaw. F'konformita mal-liġi tal-Unjoni, l-Istati Membri għandhom jieħdu l-miżuri meħtieġa biex jeliminaw l-inkompatibilitajiet bejn il-Ftehimiet bilaterali tagħhom u l-Ftehim tal-Unjoni Ewropea.
 F'każ li Stat Membru jkun ikkonkluda Ftehim bilaterali jew arranġament mar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde dwar ħruġ mhux kopert mill-Ftehim tal-Unjoni Ewropea, din l-eżenzjoni tibqa' tapplika wara d-dħul fis-seħħ tal-Ftehim tal-Unjoni Ewropea dwar il-faċilitazzjoni tal-viża.
 II.
 LINJI GWIDA DWAR DISPOŻIZZJONIJIET SPEĊIFIĊI.
 2.1. Regoli li japplikaw għall-applikanti kollha għall-viżi
 Importanti: Huwa mfakkar li l-faċilitazzjonijiet imsemmija hawn taħt dwar it-tluq f’każ ta’ dokumenti mitlufa jew misruqa u l-estensjoni tal-viża f’ċirkostanzi ta’ eċċezzjoni japplikaw għad-detenturi kollha tal-viża mir-Repubblika ta’ Cabo Verde u l-Istati Membri.
 2.1.1. Estensjoni tal-viża f'ċirkostanzi ta' eċċezzjoni.
 L-Artikolu 7 tal-Ftehim jistipula li:
 "Iċ-ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Unjoni li m’għandhomx il-possibblità li jħallu t-territorju tal-Istati Membri jew ta' Cabo Verde sad-data stabbilita fil-viżi tagħhom minħabba raġunijiet ta’ force majeure għandhom ikollhom it-terminu tal-viżi tagħhom estiż mingħajr ħlas skont il-leġiżlazzjoni applikata mill-Istat li qed jilqa’ għall-perjodu meħtieġ għar-ritorn tagħhom lejn l-Istat ta’ residenza tagħhom."
 Rigward il-possibbiltà tal-estensjoni tal-validità tal-viża f’każijiet ta’ force majeure - pereżempju, soġġorn fi sptar minħabba inċident, fejn id-detentur tal-viża ma jkollux il-possibbiltà li jitlaq mit-territorju tal-Istat Membru sad-data indikata fuq l-istiker tal-viża, japplikaw id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-Artikolu 33(1) tal-Kodiċi Komunali dwar il-Viżi, sakemm dawn ikunu kompatibbli mal-Ftehim (pereżempju, il-viża estiża tibqa’ viża uniformi, li tintitola d-dħul fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri kollha ta’ Schengen li għalihom il-viża kienet valida fil-ħin tal-ħruġ). Madankollu, skont il-Ftehim, l-estensjoni tal-viża f’każ ta’ force majeure issir b'xejn.
 2.2. Regoli li japplikaw għal ċerti kategoriji ta' applikanti għall-viża.
 2.2.1.
 Ħruġ ta’ viżi għal dħul multiplu.
 F’każijiet fejn l-applikant tal-viża jeħtieġ li jivvjaġġa sikwit jew regolarment fit-territorju tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde jew tal-Istati Membri, jistgħu jinħarġu viżi għal żjarat qosra għal diversi żjarat, sakemm it-tul totali ta' dawn iż-żjarat ma jaqbiżx id-90 jum għal kull perjodu ta’ 180 jum.
 L-Artikolu 4 tal-Ftehim jistipula li:
 "1.
 Missjonijiet diplomatiċi u postazzjonijiet konsulari tal-Istati Membri u ta' Cabo Verde għandhom joħorġu viżi ta’ diversi dħul b’terminu ta’ validità ta’ ħames snin għal dawn il-kategoriji ta’ ċittadini:
 (a) il-membri ta’ Gvernijiet u Parlamenti nazzjonali u reġjonali u lill-membri tal-Qrati Kostituzzjonali u Qrati Supremi u tal-Qorti tal-Awdituri, jekk ma jkunux eżentati mill-ħtieġa tal-viża bil-Ftehim preżenti, fl-eżerċizzju tad-dmirijiet tagħhom;
 (b) il-membri permanenti ta’ delegazzjonijiet uffiċjali li, wara stedina uffiċjali indirizzata lil Cabo Verde, lill-Istati Membri jew lill-Unjoni, jieħdu sehem f’laqgħat, konsultazzjonijiet, negozjati jew programmi ta’ skambju, kif ukoll bħal f’avvenimenti fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde organizzati fuq l-inizjattiva ta’ organizzazzjonijiet intergovernattivi;
 (c) nies fin-negozju u rappreżentanti ta’ imprizi li jivvjaġġaw regolarment lejn l-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde;
 (d) konjugi, tfal (inklużi tfal adottati), li jkunu taħt l-età ta’ 21 jew ikunu dipendenti, u qraba li jżuru rispettivament:
 — iċ-ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde li jkunu residenti legalment fit-territorju ta’ Stat Membru jew iċ-ċittadini tal-Unjoni li huma legalment residenti f'Cabo Verde, jew
 — iċ-ċittadini tal-Unjoni residenti fi Stat Membru tan-nazzjonalità tagħhom, jew ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde residenti f'Cabo Verde.
 Madankollu, jekk il-bżonn jew l-intenzjoni li jivvjaġġaw sikwit jew regolari huwa limitat b’mod ċar ma’ limitu iqsar ta’ soġġorn, il-validità tal-viża ta’ dħul aktar minn darba għandu jkun limitat għal din il-waqfa, b’mod partikolari fejn
 — it-terminu tal-kariga, fil-każ ta’ dawk koperti mill-punt (a) hawn fuq,
 — it-tul ta’ żmien tal-kariga ta’ membru permanenti ta’ delegazzjoni uffiċjali, fil-każ ta’ dawk koperti b’punt (b) hawn fuq,
 — it-tul ta’ żmien fil-pożizzjonijiet bħala nies fin-negozju u rappreżentanti tal-kumpaniji, fil-każ ta’ dawk koperti mill-punt (c) hawn fuq, jew
 — il-permess ta’ residenza maħruġ liċ-ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde li jirrisjedu fit-territorju ta’ Stat Membru u liċ-ċittadini tal-Unjoni li jirrisjedu f'Cabo Verde, fil-każ ta’ dawk koperti b’punt (d) hawn fuq,
 ikun inqas minn ħames snin."
 Filwaqt li jitqies l-istatus professjonali ta’ dawn il-kategoriji ta’ persuni, jew ir-relazzjoni familjali tagħhom ma’ ċittadin tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde jew tal-Istati Membri li jkun jirrisjedi legalment fit-territorju tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde jew tal-Istati Membri, kif ukoll fir-rigward tal-qraba ta’ ċittadini tal-Unjoni residenti fl-Istat Membru tan-nazzjonalità tagħhom, jew fir-rigward ta' ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde residenti f'Cabo Verde, huwa ġustifikat li dawn jingħataw viża għal dħul multiplu b’validità ta’ ħames snin, jew limitata għat-terminu tal-kariga jew residenza legali tagħhom jekk dan ikun ta’ inqas minn 5 snin.
 Fir-rigward ta' persuni li jaqgħu taħt l-Artikolu 4(1)(a), trid tingħata konferma rigward l-istatus professjonali tagħhom u t-tul tal-mandat tagħhom.
 Din id-dispożizzjoni ma tapplikax għal persuni li jaqgħu taħt l-Artikolu 4(1)(a) jekk dawn ikunu eżentati mill-ħtieġa ta' viża bil-Ftehim, jiġifieri jekk ikollhom passaport diplomatiku jew tas-servizz.
 Persuni li jaqgħu taħt l-Artikolu 4(1)(b), iridu jippreżentaw prova rigward l-istatus permanenti tagħhom bħala membri tad-delegazzjoni u tal-ħtieġa li jipparteċipaw b’mod regolari f’laqgħat, konsultazzjonijiet, negozjati jew programmi ta’ skambju.
 Persuni li jaqgħu taħt l-Artikolu 4(1)(c) iridu jippreżentaw prova rigward l-istatus professjonali tagħhom u t-tul tal-attivitajiet tagħhom.
 Persuni li jaqgħu taħt l-Artikolu 4(1)(d), iridu jippreżentaw prova fir-rigward tar-residenza legali tal-persuna li toħroġ l-istedina.
 F'każijiet fejn il-bżonn jew l-intenzjoni ta' vjaġġar ta' sikwit jew regolari jkun limitat b’mod ċar ma’ perjodu iqsar, il-validità tal-viża ta' dħul multiplu tkun limitata għal dan il-perjodu.
 "2.
 Il-missjonijiet diplomatiċi u l-postazzjonijiet konsulari tal-Istati Membri u ta' Cabo Verde għandhom joħorġu viżi ta’ dħul aktar minn darba b’perjodu ta’ validità ta’ sena għal dawn il-kategoriji ta’ ċittadini, jekk kemm-il darba matul is-sena ta’ qabel ikunu kisbu mill-inqas viża waħda, u jkunu użawha skont il-liġijiet ta’ dħul u residenza fit-territorju tal-Istat li żaru:
 (a) rappreżentanti tal-organizzazzjonijiet tas-soċjetà ċivili li jivvjaġġaw regolarment fl-Istati Membri jew f'Cabo Verde għal raġunijiet ta’ taħriġ edukattiv, seminars, konferenzi, inkluż fil-qafas ta’ programmi ta’ skambju;
 (b) membri tal-professjonijiet liberali li jieħdu sehem f’wirjiet internazzjonali, konferenzi, simpożji, seminars jew avvenimenti oħrajn simili li jivvjaġġaw b’mod regolari lejn l-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde;
 (c) persuni li jieħdu sehem f’attivitajiet xjentifiċi, kulturali u artistiċi, inklużi programmi tal-università u programmi oħrajn ta’ skambju, li jivvjaġġaw b’mod regolari lejn l-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde;
 (d) parteċipanti f'avvenimenti sportivi internazzjonali u persuni li jakkumpanjawhom f'kapaċità professjonali;
 (e) ġurnalisti u persuni akkreditati li jakkumpanjawhom f’kapaċità professjonali;
 (f) tfal tal-iskola, studenti, studenti gradwati u għalliema li jakkumpanjawhom li jivvjaġġaw għall-iskop ta’ studju jew taħriġ edukattiv, inkluż fil-qafas ta’ programmi ta’ skambju kif ukoll attivitajiet oħra marbuta mal-iskola;
 (g) rappreżentanti ta’ organizzazzjonijiet reliġjużi rikonoxxuti f'Cabo Verde jew fl-Istati Membri li jivvjaġġaw regolarment fl-Istati Membri jew f'Cabo Verde rispettivament;
 (h) persuni li jagħmlu żjajjar regolari minħabba raġunijiet mediċi;
 (i) parteċipanti fi programmi uffiċjali ta’ skambju organizzati minn bliet ġemellati jew awtoritajiet muniċipali;
 (j) membri permanenti ta’ delegazzjonijiet uffiċjali li, wara stedina uffiċjali indirizzata lil Cabo Verde, l-Istati Membri jew l-Unjoni, jieħdu sehem regolarment f’laqgħat, konsultazzjonijiet, negozjati jew programmi ta’ skambju, kif ukoll bħal f’avvenimenti fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde organizzati fuq l-inizjattiva ta’ organizzazzjonijiet intergovernattivi.
 Madankollu, jekk il-bżonn jew l-intenzjoni li jivvjaġġaw sikwit jew regolari huwa limitat b’mod ċar għal limitu iqsar ta’ soġġorn, il-validità ta’ viża għandu jkun limitat għal din il-waqfa."
 Fil-prinċipju, viżi għal dħul multiplu validi għal sena jinħarġu lill-kategoriji msemmija hawn fuq jekk matul is-sena ta' qabel (12-il xahar) l-applikant għall-viża jkun kiseb tal-anqas viża waħda u jkun għamel użu minnha skont il-liġijiet dwar id-dħul u ż-żjarat tal-Istat(i) fejn tkun saret iż-żjara (pereżempju, il-persuna ma tkunx baqgħet aktar milli kien imissha) u hekk ikun hemm raġunijiet biex tintalab viza għal dħul multiplu.
 F’każijiet fejn ma jkunx ġustifikat li tinħareġ viża valida għal sena, (pereżempju, jekk it-tul tal-programm ta’ skambju jkun ta’ inqas minn sena jew il-persuna ma jkollhiex bżonn li tivvjaġġa għal sena sħiħa) il-validità tal-viża tkun ta’ anqas minn sena, sakemm ir-rekwiżiti l-oħra għall-ħruġ tal-viża jkunu ssodisfati.
 "3.
 Missjonijiet diplomatiċi u postazzjonijiet konsulari tal-Istati Membri u ta' Cabo Verde għandhom joħorġu viżi għal dħul aktar minn darba bit-terminu ta’ validità ta’ minimu ta’ sentejn u massimu ta’ ħames snin għall-kategoriji ta’ ċittadini msemmija fil-paragrafu 2 ta’ dan l-Artikolu, jekk kemm-il darba fis-sentejn ta’ qabel ikunu użaw tajjeb il-viża ta’ dħul aktar minn darba b’perjodu ta’ validità ta’ sena, skont il-liġijiet dwar id-dħul u r-residenza fit-territorju tal-Istat ospitanti.
 Madankollu, jekk il-bżonn jew l-intenzjoni li jivvjaġġaw sikwit jew regolari huwa limitat b’mod ċar ma’ limitu iqsar ta’ soġġorn, il-validità ta’ viża għandha tkun limitata għal din il-waqfa."
 "4. Il-perjodu totali ta’ residenza ta’ persuni msemmija fil-paragrafi 1 sa 3 ta’ dan l-Artikolu m’għandux jaqbeż id-90 jum għal kull perjodu ta’ 180 fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri jew ta' Cabo Verde."
 Viżi għal dħul multiplu validi minn sentejn (2) sa ħames (5) snin jinħarġu għall-kategoriji msemmija taħt l-Artikolu 4(2), bil-kundizzjoni li matul is-sentejn ta’ qabel (24 xahar) ikunu użaw il-viżi ta' sena (1) għal dħul multiplu skont il-liġijiet dwar id-dħul u ż-żjarat fit-territorju/i tal-Istat(i) viżitat(i) u li l-ħtiġijiet għat-talba ta' viża għal dħul multiplu jkunu għadhom validi. Għandu jiġi nnutat li viża b’validità minn sentejn (2) sa ħames (5) snin, tinħareġ biss jekk l-applikant għall-viża jkun ingħata żewġ viżi validi għal sena - u mhux anqas - matul is-sentejn preċedenti, u jekk ikun uża dawn il-viżi skont il-liġijiet tad-dħul u soġġorn fit-territorju/i tal-Istat(i) fejn sar is-soġġorn. Il-missjonijiet diplomatiċi u l-postazzjonijiet konsulari għandhom jiddeċiedu, abbażi tal-valutazzjoni ta’ kull applikazzjoni għall-viża, il-perjodu ta’ validità ta’ dawn il-viżi, jiġifieri minn sentejn (2) sa ħames (5) snin.
 Ma hemm l-ebda obbligu li tinħareġ viża għal dħul multiplu jekk l-applikant ma jkunx għamel użu minn viża preċedenti.
 2.2.2.
 Tariffa tal-ipproċessar tal-viża.
 L-Artikolu 5(1) tal-Ftehim jistipula li:
 "1.
 Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-paragrafu 2, l-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde m’għandhomx jiġbru l-miżati tal-viżi minn dawn il-kategoriji ta’ persuni:
 (a) Membri permanenti ta’ delegazzjonijiet uffiċjali li, wara stedina uffiċjali indirizzata lil Cabo Verde, l-Istati Membri jew l-Unjoni, jieħdu sehem f’laqgħat, konsultazzjonijiet, negozjati jew programmi uffiċjali ta’ skambju, kif ukoll bħal f’avvenimenti organizzati fuq l-inizjattiva ta’ organizzazzjonijiet intergovernattivi fit-territorju tal-Istati Membri jew ta' Cabo Verde;
 (b) tfal taħt l-età ta' 12-il sena; (N.B. Sabiex jibbenefikaw mill-eżenzjoni tat-tariffa għal din il-kategorija ta' persuni, l-applikanti tal-viża għandhom jippreżentaw evidenza li turi l-età tagħhom.)
 (c) it-tfal tal-iskola, l-istudenti, l-istudenti fil-livell postuniversitarju u l-għalliema li jakkumpanjawhom li jagħmlu soġġorni għall-fini ta’ studju jew ta’ taħriġ edukattiv;
 (d) ir-riċerkaturi li jivjaġġaw għal raġunijiet ta’ riċerka xjentifika;
 (e) il-parteċipanti li m’għandhomx aktar minn 25 sena li jipparteċipaw f’seminars, konferenzi, avvenimenti sportivi, kulturali u edukattivi, organizzati minn organizzazzjonijiet bla skop ta’ qligħ."
 Tingħata eżenzjoni sħiħa mill-ħlas fil-każ tal-kategoriji ta' persuni msemmija hawn fuq.
 Skont l-Artikolu 16(6) tal-Kodiċi Komunitarju dwar il-Viżi "f'każijiet individwali, l-ammont tat-tariffa tal-viża li għandha tiġi imposta tista' tiġi rinunzjata jew imnaqqsa meta din il-miżura sservi biex tippromwovi interessi kulturali jew sportivi kif ukoll interessi fil-qasam tal-politika estera, il-politika tal-iżvilupp u oqsma oħrajn ta' interess pubbliku vitali jew għal raġunijiet umanitarji."
 L-Artikolu 16(7) tal-Kodiċi Komunitarju dwar il-Viżi jiddikjara li "t-tariffa tal-viża għandha tiġi imposta f’Euro, fil-munita nazzjonali tal-pajjiż terz jew fil-munita li hi normalment użata fil-pajjiż terz fejn qiegħda tiġi ppreżentata l-applikazzjoni u għandha tkun mingħajr il-possibbiltà ta’ rifużjoni minbarra fil-każijiet imsemmija fl-Artikoli 18(2) u 19(3)." - każijiet ta’ applikazzjoni inammissibbli jew każijiet fejn il-konsulat mhuwiex kompetenti.
 L-applikanti għal viża minn Cabo Verde, skont l-Artikolu 16(8) tal-Kodiċi Komunitarju dwar il-Viżi, u ċ-ċittadini tal-Unjoni Ewropea, skont Décret-Loi 27/2007 "jingħataw riċevuta għat-tariffa tal-viża mħallsa".
 L-Artikolu 5(2) tal-Ftehim jistipula li:
 "2.
 Fejn l-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde jikkooperaw ma’ fornitur estern tas-servizzi, l-ispejjeż tas-servizz jistgħu jiġu miġbura. Il-ħlas għas-servizz għandu jkun proporzjonat mal-ispejjeż li jeħel il-fornitur estern ta’ servizz meta jkun qed iwettaq il-kompiti tiegħu u m’għandux jaqbeż it-EUR 30. Cabo Verde, l-Istat Membru jew l-Istati Membri kkonċernati għandhom iżommu l-possibbiltà għall-applikanti kollha li jippreżentaw l-applikazzjonijiet tagħhom direttament fil-konsulati tagħhom."
 It-tariffa tal-viża eżentat kategoriji ta' persuni li huma suġġetti għal tariffa tas-servizz f’każ li Stat Membru jikkoopera ma’ fornitur tas-servizzi estern.
 Attwalment l-ebda Stat Membru tal-UE ma għandu arranġamenti ta’ esternalizzazzjoni ma’ fornituri tas-servizzi esterni f’Cabo Verde.
 2.2.3. Detenturi ta' passaporti diplomatiċi u tas-servizz.
 L-Artikolu 8 tal-Ftehim jistipula li:
 "1.
 Ċittadini ta' Cabo Verde jew tal-Istati Membri, titulari ta’ passaporti diplomatiċi validi jistgħu jidħlu, iħallu jew jiċċaqilqu fit-territorji tal-Istati Membri jew ta' Cabo Verde mingħajr viżi.
 2. Iċ-ċittadini msemmija fil-paragrafu 1 ta’ dan l-Artikolu jistgħu joqogħdu fit-territorji tal-Istati Membri jew Cabo Verde għal perjodu li ma jaqbiżx id-90 jum għal kull perjodu ta’ 180 jum."
 Il-proċeduri rigward il-postazzjoni ta’ diplomatiċi fl-Istati Membri mhumiex regolati bil-Ftehim. Tapplika l-proċedura ta’ akkreditazzjoni tas-soltu.
 F’Dikjarazzjoni Konġunta mehmuża mal-Ftehim, il-Partijiet jaqblu li kull waħda minnhom tista’ tinvoka sospensjoni parzjali tal-Ftehim, u partikolarment l-Artikolu 8, jekk l-implimentazzjoni tiegħu twassal għal abbuż mill-Parti l-oħra jew għal theddida għas-sigurtà pubblika. Is-sospensjoni parzjali tal-Ftehim trid tiġi mwettqa skont il-proċedura stipulata fl-Artikolu 12(5).
 Jekk l-implimentazzjoni tal-Artikolu 8 tiġi sospiża, iż-żewġ Partijiet jibdew konsultazzjonijiet fil-qafas tal-Kumitat Konġunt imwaqqaf bil-Ftehim bil-ħsieb li jsolvu l-problemi li wasslu għas-sospensjoni.
 Bħala prijorità, iż-żewġ Partijiet qablu li jimpenjaw ruħhom sabiex jiżguraw livell għoli ta’ sigurtà għal passaporti diplomatiċi u tas-servizz, partikolarment billi jintegraw identifikaturi bijometriċi. Għall-Unjoni, dan ikun żgurat b’konformità mal-ħtiġijiet stabbiliti fir-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 2252/2004 tat-13 ta' Diċembru 2004 dwar l-istandards għall-karatteristiċi ta' sigurtà u għall-bijometriċi f’passaporti u dokumenti tal-ivvjaġġar maħruġa mill-Istati Membri.
 III.
 KOOPERAZZJONI DWAR IS-SIGURTÀ TAD-DOKUMENTI
 F'Dikjarazzjoni Konġunta annessa mal-Ftehim il-Partijiet jaqblu li l-Kumitat Konġunt stabbilit skont l-Artikolu 10 tal-Ftehim jevalwa l-impatt tal-livell ta’ sigurtà tad-dokumenti rispettivi tal-ivvjaġġar fuq il-funzjonament tal-Ftehim. Għal dan il-għan, il-Partijiet jimpenjaw ruħhom biex jinformaw lil xulxin b'mod regolari dwar il-miżuri li jkunu ttieħdu biex jiġi evitat it-tifrix ta' dokumenti tal-ivvjaġġar, billi jiġu żviluppati l-aspetti tekniċi tas-sigurtà tad-dokumenti tal-ivvjaġġar kif ukoll dwar il-proċess tal-personalizzazzjoni tal-ħruġ ta' dokumenti tal-ivvjaġġar.
 IV.
 STATISTIKA
 Sabiex il-Kumitat Konġunt imwaqqaf bil-Ftehim ikun jista' jissorvelja b’mod effettiv il-Ftehim, il-missjonijiet diplomatiċi u l-postazzjonijiet konsulari tar-Repubblika ta' Cabo Verde u tal-Istati Membri jridu jippreżentaw statistiċi lill-Kummissjoni, kull 6 xhur, rigward b’mod partikolari, fejn possibbli, u speċifikati skont ix-xahar:
 -
 l-għadd ta’ viżi għal dħul multiplu maħruġa;
 -
 it-tul tal-validità tal-viżi għal dħul multiplu maħruġa;
 -
 l-għadd ta’ viżi maħruġa mingħajr tariffi għall-kategoriji differenti koperti mill-Ftehim.