06/06/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 6 June, the European Ministers of Justice adopted conclusions of the EU Council asking the Commission to prepare a "comprehensive study” on possible solutions for the retention of electronic communication data for the purpose of fighting crime (see EUROPE 12234/13), including "the consideration of a future legislative initiative”. Since the judgments of the EU Court of Justice invalidating national and European mechanisms in this area (see EUROPE 11056/24, 11694/16), Member States have consistently argued not to remain in legal limbo (see EUROPE 11825/6). In their conclusions, they asked the Commission to organise consultations with relevant stakeholders to assess the need for the necessary data to effectively fight serious crime and to review the work by the end of 2019. See the adopted text: https://bit.ly/2WHajyz (MF)