31.12.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 353[49 ACTS WHOSE PUBLICATION IS NOT OBLIGATORY COUNCIL DECISION of 22 December 2009 amending the Schengen consultation network (technical specifications) (2009/1024/EU) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 789/2001 of 24 April 2001 reserving to the Council implementing powers with regard to certain detailed provisions and practical procedures for examining visa applications ('), and in particular Article 1(2) thereof, Having regard to the initiative by the Czech Republic, Whereas: 1 ) The Schengen consultation network has been established to allow consultation between the central authorities of the Member States in relation to visa applications submitted by nationals from certain third countries. Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) () modifies the current rules applicable where a Member State has required the central authorities of other Member States to consult its central authorities during the examination of applications lodged by nationals of specific third countries or specific categories of such nationals. The technical specifications of the Schengen consultation network should be amended accordingly. Article 31 of the Visa Code allows a Member State to require that its central authorities be informed of visas issued by other Member States to nationals of specific third countries or to specific categories of such nationals, except in the case of airport transit visas. The transmission of such information requires the creation of a new form in the Schengen consultation network. The long-stay visa, concurrently valid as a short-stay visa (type D + C), will be abolished and the transit visa (type ‘B’) will be merged with the short-stay visa (type ‘C’) from the date of application of the Visa Code. L 116, 26.4.2001, p. 2. L 243, 15.9.2009, p. 1. (6) ( ( ( ( 3 4 5 6 The technical specifications of the Schengen consultation network should be amended accordingly and should apply from the date of application of the Visa Code. In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application. Given that this Decision builds upon the Schengen acquis, Denmark shall, in accordance with Article 4 of the said Protocol, decide within a period of six months after the Council has decided on this Decision, whether it will implement it in its national law. As regards Iceland and Norway, this Decision constitutes a development of provisions of the Schengen acquis, within the meaning of the Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway concerning the association of those two States with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (%), which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A, of Council Decision 1999/437/EC of 17 May 1999 on certain arrangements for the application of that Agreement (*). As regards Switzerland, this Decision constitutes a devel- opment of provisions of the Schengen acquis, within the meaning of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation’s association with the imple- mentation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (°), which fall within the area referred to in Article 1, point A, of Council Decision 1999/437/EC, read in conjunction with Article 3 of Council Decision 2008/146/EC (°) on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of that Agreement. 176, 10.7.1999, p. 36. 176, 10.7.1999, p. 31. ) O] L ) O] L ) O] L 53, 27.2.2008, p. 52. ) O] L 53, 27.2.2008, p. 1.