Luxembourg, 06/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - EU27 interior ministers approved, on Thursday 5 June, an agreement aimed at exchange of data on air passengers going to Australia with the Australian customs authorities. The PNR (Passenger Name Record) agreement will allow airline companies to transmit 19 categories of data (name, address, credit card number and passport number) to the Australian authorities. The latter may store the data received for 3 and a half years, and keep it during a further two years provided it can give the guarantee that the information will be adequately protected. Australia will not be able to share the data forwarded with third countries according to the policy for combating terrorism and organised crime. Sensitive data, based for example on passengers' health, religion, or sexual leanings will be filtered or directly withdrawn. The agreement resembles that concluded with the United States in June 2007, which appears more respectful when it comes to the protection of data concerning private individuals. “It is a better system, better controlled, that we consider sets an example”, said Commissioner Jacques Barrot, comparing the agreement to that sealed with the United States (B.C./transl.jl)