Q&R: Undertook a new IT project for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The implementation of the project “Creation of central infrastructure of the National Entry / Exit System (EES)”, was undertaken by the Association of Companies “Cosmos Business Systems SA – Quality & Reliability SA.” from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a total budget of 1,606,785.00 euros plus VAT. Q&R participates in the Union with 49% and COSMOS COMPUTERS SA with 51%.

The Entry / Exit System (EES) is a new, large-scale information system that records the entry and exit of third-country nationals to and from the Schengen area.

This system will replace the current practice of entering / leaving the stamp on travel documents with electronic registration in a central database of biometric and biographical data of travelers as well as the date and place of entry / exit for short stays (up to 90 days) in the Schengen area.

The aim of the EES system is to modernize the management of the Union’s common external borders and to automate border controls so that Member States can better manage the ever-increasing number of third-country visitors to the Schengen area, strengthen internal security, and combat irregular migration, terrorism and organized crime. The mandated national authorities and Europol shall also provide access to the data of the TEU for the purpose of preventing, detecting or investigating terrorist offenses or other serious criminal offenses.

The Entry / Exit System (EES) will interoperate with the VIS visa system, facilitating the visa application process and decision-making process, as Consular and Border Authorities will now be able to identify citizens who do not do the right thing. use of their visa, remaining in the Schengen area for a longer period of time from the expiration date of the visa (over-stayers) through an automated process.

The project upgrades the level of services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with:

– Facilitate the process of applying for short-stay visas in the Schengen area;

– Facilitation of the fight against fraud and visa bans (“visa shopping”)

– Avoiding circumvention of the criteria for determining the Member State responsible for examining the application

– Facilitate controls at the external border crossing points of the Member States and in the territory of the Member States

– Assistance in identifying persons who do not meet the conditions governing entry, stay or residence in the territory of the Member States

Facilitating the application of Regulation (EC) No Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003 of 18 February 2003 establishing criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application lodged in a Member State by a third-country national

– Contribute to the prevention of threats to the internal security of the Member States.

Based on the project implementation schedule, it is expected to be completed by December 31, 2023.

Q&R has implemented and supports the productive operation of complex and critical Information Systems, based on state-of-the-art technologies, for many organizations and companies in Greece and abroad. In its thirty years of operation, it has contributed significantly with its know-how and the innovative software products it has developed, to the digital modernization of the wider public and private sector and to the creation of value and competitive advantage, through technology, for its customers.

Q&R’s clientele currently includes more than 250 large organizations and companies in the Private and Public sector. Utilizing the new technologies, the company develops new solutions in the field of cloud services, offering modern services specially designed for small and medium enterprises.