Brussels, 20/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 November 2008, the European Parliament opposed the plan for an EU PNR collection system (Passenger Name Record - PNR) to combat terrorism on the grounds that it would be a threat to privacy. In November 2007, the European Commission suggested that the EU should follow the example of the United States and introduce its own system for collecting information about air passengers and using this information to combat terrorism and organised crime (see EUROPE 9536 and 9537). Adopting a resolution drafted by Sophie In't Veld (ALDE, the Netherlands) by 512 to 5 with 19 abstentions, the MEPs said there was no justification for an EU PNR either legally or in terms of making it easier to tackle terrorism. They call for proof of the utility of such a system at EU level and refuse to vote on the draft legislation until their many concerns have been taken into account. Under the current institutional set-up, however, the European Parliament is only consulted on the legislation and does not have any powers as such. Last month, several Member States again expressed reservations about the idea of an EU PNR (see EUROPE 9769). In Brussels on Thursday 27 November 2008, the French Presidency will submit a final report to the JHA Council to serve as the basis of future work on an EU PNR. (B.C./transl.fl)