02/07/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday, 2 July, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) approved—by a vote of 37 to 26 with 2 abstentions—opening negotiations between the Commission and New Zealand to put together an agreement on data exchange between Europol and New Zealand so as to combat terrorism and organised crime (see EUROPE 12361/15). A 2016 regulation allows Europol to exchange data with non-EU countries or organisations in the context of its duties. A prior working agreement between Europol and the New Zealand Police was already signed in April 2019: a secure hotline was established between the two partners, and New Zealand had a liaison officer at Europol. The European Parliament plenary will have to confirm this vote next week. (SP)