Brussels, 19/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - In Washington to discuss the question of personal data protection with her counterparts, European Commissioner Viviane Reding made some particularly positive comments about the attitude of the US officials that have finally made a move on the transatlantic framework agreement on data protection. Such a willing attitude has not been seen “for three years”.
Speaking at a press conference, Reding gave her assurance on Monday 18 November that she had “good news” from her counterparts. She spoke of launching revision of large-scale surveillance programmes that now take into account the harm caused to Europeans and not just to US nationals. Eric Holder, US Attorney General, also announced work on the framework agreement would be speeded up, Reding added. Negotiations were to be continued on Tuesday 19 November.
The idea is to reach, as soon as possible, common basic standards on data protection, and Holder, as Reding was pleased to point out, was positive about the fact that European citizens would be able to seek compensation from the US justice system in the event of problems arising from their data being processed by an American entity. This approach by Washington which now includes non-Americans is totally new, the European official said with pleasure.
The commissioner also gave her assurance that both parties had undertaken to finalise the framework agreement by spring 2014, i.e. before the European elections. In this way, the European Parliament, which will end its term in April, may take a stance on the content of the agreement, Reding announced. The commissioner nonetheless bemoaned the fact that the series of revelations about the activities of the National Security Agency (NSA) had created “tensions” between the two parties and the finalisation of the agreement before the elections would, in her view, be a good signal for restoring trust.
A joint statement published after the meeting will, moreover, be along these lines. “We together recognise that this (Ed: the revelations of spying) has led to regrettable tensions in the transatlantic relationship which we seek to lessen. In order to protect all our citizens, it is of the utmost importance to address these issues by restoring trust and reinforcing our cooperation on justice and home affairs issues”, the two parties said.
The statement goes on to say that “the EU and the US are allies. Since 9/11 and subsequent terrorist attacks in Europe, the EU and US have stepped up cooperation, including in the areas of police and criminal justice. Sharing relevant information, including personal data, while ensuring a high level of protection, is an essential element of this cooperation, and it must continue”. Another commitment is that the US and the EU should review their mutual legal assistance agreement reached in 2010, and ensure that it is not circumvented. (SP/transl.jl)