Brussels, 01/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 30 June 2008, the European Union and Australia signed an agreement on the transfer of personal data of EU air passengers (Passenger Name Record - PNR) to the Australian authorities. The seven year agreement will allow airlines to provide 19 categories of information (name, address, credit card details and passport number) to the Australian customs authorities. Slovenian interior minister Dragutin Mate said the deal is one of the most important outcomes of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU. He said in the press release that the deal 'represents an important step towards reinforced cooperation between the EU and Australia in the fight against terrorism and serous crime, including organised crime'. The agreement is based on serious commitments by the Australian customs services to relevant EU legislation covering the processing of data about EU air passengers, explained the outgoing Slovenian Presidency. The contents of the agreement were endorsed on 5 June 2008 by EU interior ministers (see EUROPE 9677). (B.C.)