On Wednesday 18 March, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) adopted two agreements on the transfer and processing of air passenger data (Passenger Name Record, PNR) with Norway and Iceland.
Approved by 51 votes in favour, 8 against and 3 abstentions for Norway and 49 votes in favour, 8 against and 3 abstentions for Iceland, these texts aim to strengthen the fight against terrorism and serious crime within the Schengen area. They strictly regulate the exchange of information such as travel itineraries, contact details and luggage. The system also prohibits the processing of sensitive data and limits the storage of information to what is strictly necessary.
Rapporteur Jaroslav Bžoch (PfE, Czech) stressed that the PNR is an “effective tool for strengthening the security of the Schengen area by helping to detect crime at external borders”.
These partnerships are in addition to those already signed with Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. The consent decisions must now be put to the vote at the European Parliament plenary session, scheduled for 27 to 30 April. (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)