During an informal meeting on Thursday 6 July in Tallinn, EU Ministers for the Interior emphasised to what extent interoperability of Information Systems was crucial. They also agreed on making swift progress on the proposals on the table, explained Andres Anvelt, the Estonian Minister for the Interior.
Last week, the European Council proposed to strengthen Eu-LISA (see EUROPE 11819) and is expected to propose a new legislative initiative at the end of the year on the technical options that will ensure the interoperability of European Information Systems. These will incorporate systems such as the SIS, Eurodac or future systems such as the ETIAS and the entry/exit system.
One of the technical options aims to implement a single portal that will enable law-enforcement bodies to carry out simultaneous research in databases. This tool, however, poses a question regarding respect for personal data and fundamental rights.
At the final press conference, the Minister for the Interior from Estonia promised that these new tools should help to guarantee “high data protection standards and respect for fundamental rights”. Technical work will also begin on respect for these different aspects, he explained.
Andres Anvelt said that the interoperability of databases is particularly important in the migration context and migrant return policy for those in irregular situations. He also said that as long as databases are unable to communicate with one another there can be no information on return decisions and European policy on the issue will be unable to function. (Original version in French Solenn Paulic)