In the interim, it would be appropriate to come to an arrangement at least over what is referred to as local border traffic.

These measures create the possibility for setting up local border traffic with non-Member States.

This requires, as we have always found, special arrangements to facilitate cross-border cooperation and local border traffic.

Therefore, it is important to facilitate efficiently visa requirements for local border traffic and for specific population groups.

Clearly, therefore, the document we are debating is simply paving the way for the regulation of local border traffic across our external borders.

That is why I welcome the agreement between Slovakia and Ukraine on local border traffic.

Border residents holding a special local border traffic permit would be exempt from the visa requirement.

Finally, Tirana and Belgrade are negotiating an agreement that would permit local border traffic for the first time in four decades.

In many cases local border traffic is subject to bilateral regulation aimed at the simplification of border crossing for these residents.

Also, the issues of local border traffic, joint border controls at the border crossing points on common borders were mentioned.

The applicant for the permit has to show legitimate reasons to frequently cross an external land border under the local border traffic regime.

Therefore this is a very good proposal. However, it is worthless on its own, as it proposes the introduction of local border traffic permits.

However, this requires the amendment of the Council Regulation concerning Schengen, and the introduction of such a local border traffic permit must be made possible.

In this context I wish to recall that the adoption of Community rules on local border traffic is included in the much broader European neighbourhood strategy.

Finally, the Commission will report on the implementation of the local border traffic regime two years after the entry into force of the regulation, proposing modifications if necessary.

The local border traffic or small border traffic is the cross-border traffic of the residents of the border area.

The regulation on local border traffic that we now have before us has proved to be very important to the EU’s external border regions, especially in the east.

There is also a need to facilitate local border traffic, that is, to facilitate crossing for border residents with legitimate reasons to cross the border frequently.

Furthermore, the neighbouring Member States - Poland, Latvia and Lithuania in particular - always have the possibility of negotiating local border traffic agreements with Belarus.

The agreements on easing visa procedures and local border traffic might be a great help in this, but the ultimate goal in any case is to achieve visa exemption.

As has already happened for the Republic of Moldova, a local border traffic agreement is expected to be finalised with Ukraine, in accordance with EU regulations.

Reasons for legal definition of a border area include enhanced security and special provisions for the residents of border areas to cross the border (local border traffic).

The introduction of a specific local border traffic permit for border residents will help in identifying those people who have the right to benefit from the facilitated border crossing regime.

To counterbalance that, Member States will have to ensure regular surveillance of border areas in order to avoid the misuse of the local border traffic regime and provide for specific sanctions.

One important step forward in the area of increased mobility is the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on local border traffic, due to enter into force soon.