Brussels, 24/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 22 April, the European Parliament adopted by 529 votes to 65 and 24 abstentions, the report by Barbara Dührkop Dührkop (PES, Spanish) on the German proposal aimed at integrating part of the Prüm Treaty, known as “Schengen III”, into European legislation (EUROPE 9444). Adopted on 27 May 2005 by seven member states, the Prüm Treaty strengthens crossborder cooperation to combat terrorism, crime and illegal immigration. The treaty provides for exchange of DNA, fingerprints and personal data, joint police patrols and other forms of intervention (armed guards on aircraft, assistance during large-scale events). They also called for the level of protection for transfers to be assessed by an independent authority in line with the opinion of the European data protection controller and governed by the future framework decision on data protection. Finally, MEPs requested a ban on exchanging DNA and fingerprints of acquitted or discharged persons. (B.C.)