Brussels, 25/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - It is expected that, in the near future, the European Union will have to begin further negotiation with Canada on an agreement for the transfer of Passenger Name Records (PNR), as part of the fight against terrorism. In accordance with this agreement, signed in October 2005, airline companies using routes from the Union to Canada may transfer certain passenger data to the Canadian authorities in order to facilitate identification of persons who could present a security threat (EUROPE 9166). However, under a review clause approved by both parties, the agreement will come to an end on 22 September this year. The EU and Canada therefore find themselves under the obligation to re-negotiate the agreement, or at least to prolong the current agreement so that air traffic is not perturbed. Pending the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the new agreement should necessarily be based on a different legal basis (third pillar: police and judicial cooperation) from that chosen in 2005. This change arises from a ruling of the Court in May 2006 on the EU/USA PNR agreement, which had stipulated that the legal base of the text (Article 95 of the EC/Internal Market treaty) was not suitable. The European Commission has made it known that extending the agreement with Canada would require a formal exchange of letters with the United States. (B.C./transl.jl)