CHAPTER VI

FINAL PROVISIONS

Reports
Article 16
Periodically, and for the first time no later than three years after the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Directive in the Member States and shall propose any amendments that are necessary.

Transposition
Article 17
1
Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 12 October 2007.
When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.
2
Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Transitional provision
Article 18
By way of derogation from the provisions set out in Chapter III, Member States shall not be obliged to issue permits in accordance with this Directive in the form of a residence permit for a period of up to two years, after the date referred to in Article 17(1).

Common Travel Area
Article 19
Nothing in this Directive shall affect the right of Ireland to maintain the Common Travel Area arrangements referred to in the Protocol, annexed by the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the application of certain aspects of Article 14 of the Treaty establishing the European Community to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Entry into force
Article 20
This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Addressees
Article 21
This Directive is addressed to the Member States in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community.