Brussels, 17/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - A delegation composed of nine members of the European Parliament committee on citizens' freedoms and rights will be in Washington from Monday to Wednesday this week to discuss with members of the US Congress and State Department on matters relating to data protection in the context of transatlantic counter-terrorism cooperation. The delegation, headed by Jonathan Evans (EPP-ED, UK), will be tackling highly controversial subjects such as Passenger Name Records (PNR) (EUROPE 9401) and the sharing of information contained in international bank transfers (the SWIFT case). Work carried out by the EP on “CIA extraordinary renditions” will also be discussed, as well the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) and the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF). Discussions come just as the US Congress is set to give its stance on the “Patriot Act”, which is an exceptional counter-terrorism legislative measure adopted after the attacks on 11 September 2001. MEPs will have an opportunity to meet: John Bellinger, Department of State Legal Advisor; Bruce Swartz, Assistant Deputy General Prosecutor; as well as members of the House of Representatives: Jerrold Nadler (House judiciary committee), Tom Lantos (Chairman, House committee on foreign affairs), Loretta Sanchez (House armed services committee), and Shelley Berkley (Chairwoman, House committee on transatlantic legislator's dialogue). (bc)