Brussels, 08/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 May, the civil liberties committee at the European Parliament adopted by 47 votes (to 4 and 2 abstentions) the report by Nuno Melo (EPP, Portugal) relating to a European Parliament and Council directive on the European Investigation Order decision. According to the proposal made in 2010 by seven member states (Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden), in which Demark will not take part and on which Ireland has still to give its stance according to EP sources, the EU27 police forces may more easily cooperate among themselves and more easily conduct their investigations in other member states. On the basis of an investigation order issued by a member state, the police of the member state carrying out that order may, for example, conduct searches or interview witnesses on behalf of the issuer country. Limits have been placed on reasons for refusing to carry out the investigation order, the EP states. Refusal is possible if an investigation order is likely to be detrimental to the security of the implementing country or if it affects certain immunities. According to the text adopted, the member state receiving an investigation order will have 30 days in which to say whether it agrees or refuses, and 90 days in which to gather the evidence requested. The rapporteur must now negotiate an agreement with the Council which gave its partial agreement on this last December. (SP/transl.jl)