Brussels, 08/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - As in the debate that took place in Strasbourg end-October (see EUROPE of 25 October, p.11), the European Parliament regretted that, over a year since having completed its enquiry into the Echelon world interception system, neither the Council nor the Commission had reacted appropriately to its recommendations. This is what is affirmed in a joint resolution tabled by three political groups (EPP-ED, PES, ELDR), adopted in Brussels on Thursday. The EP did however welcome the initiatives taken to guarantee the security of electronic communications, but stressed that new provisions were necessary to protect citizens and companies against the abusive and illegal interception of communications. Furthermore, it hoped for systems and techniques to protect the private life and the confidentiality of communications, as well as adopting measures to combat industrial espionage and abusive recourse to the surveillance of competition. Parliament calls for negotiations to begin, especially with the United States, with the aim of concluding international agreements aimed at protecting European citizens and companies from such practices. It urges the European Convention to make recommendations on the matter (under the Charter of Fundamental Rights).