Luxembourg, 12/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU27 home ministers and/or their representatives held a first debate in Luxembourg on Monday 11 April on a European Commission proposal for a directive on the setting in place of a European Passenger Name Record (PNR) system, i.e. a European system for collecting flight passenger data for EU flights to and from third countries. The aim of such a system is to combat terrorism and organised crime. During the debate, ministers also took a stance for the first time on the United Kingdom's proposals for optional extension of the scope of the directive to a number of intra-European flights, especially those felt to present a high risk. The Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers brought forward for discussion a proposal that would, as an obligation, include all flights within the EU.
Generally speaking, nearly all member states (at least 17) expressed their support for including European flights in the scope of the proposal, with states currently divided between the British proposals (the United Kingdom is to state in May whether it intends to opt in under the directive) and Hungarian proposals, even if the British suggestions were to win the day, a source states. Only four member states expressed opposition to this - namely Germany, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Austria - their objection being motivated by matters relating to the protection of personal data.
Speaking at a press conference, European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, whose initial proposals provided for renewed discussion on coverage by internal EU flights two years after the directive's entry into force, acknowledged there was broad support for including intra-European flights. She went on to specify, however, that the European Parliament, which has power of codecision, must also give its opinion on the matter.
On Monday 11 April, the ministers officially began their work on this directive and, according to the Hungarian Presidency and the Commission, they all expressed their agreement that the proposal was useful and that it was necessary to collect PNR data, Hungarian Home Minister Sandor Pinter said. The proposal was in fact welcomed, the commissioner went on to say, pointing out that PNR data provided a “useful tool for helping with criminal investigations”. According to one source, although the Council has not yet set any dates for adopting a common position by qualified majority, the fact that a country like Germany is opposed to including European flights in such a scheme would not prevent adoption as, “to date, there is no minority blocking”. (S.P./transl.jl)