U.S. and EU to hold personal data protection agreement talks to fight terrorism

U.S. and EU to hold personal data protection agreement talks to fight terrorism

2010-12-09 06:54:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union (EU) and the U.S. will begin talks on a personal data protection agreement when cooperating to fight terrorism or crime, the EU said Wednesday.

By reconciling security and citizens' rights, the agreement should enhance the long-term sustainability of the EU-US cooperation in fighting terrorism, the EU said, adding that the aim is to ensure a high level of protection of personal data such as passenger data or financial information that is transferred as part of transatlantic cooperation in criminal matters.

Once in place, the agreement would enhance EU and US citizens' right to access, rectify or delete data when it is processed with the aim to prevent, investigate, detect or prosecute criminal offenses, including terrorism. For the EU, effective judicial review and a more proportionate use of data by public authorities are key objectives of the agreement.

"I look forward to meeting my U.S. counterparts in Washington this week to kick start these important negotiations," said Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU's Justice Commissioner.

"I am convinced that working together we can negotiate a solid and coherent agreement with the U.S. that balances credible and enforceable rights for individuals with the strong cooperation we need to prevent and fight terrorism and organized crime. Speedy progress on the comprehensive EU-US data protection agreement will significantly facilitate all data transfers necessary to fight terrorism and transnational organized crime," Reding added.

Since the September 11 attacks, and subsequent terrorist attacks in Europe, the EU and the U.S. have stepped up police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

Sharing relevant information is an essential element of effective cooperation in the fight against crime – both within the EU and with the U.S. One important feature is the transfer and processing of personal data for the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of crimes, including terrorism.

However, citizens’ rights to privacy need to be effectively protected as the European Parliament has raised this issue on several occasions, including in a resolution on November 11.

On Thursday, the two sides are scheduled to gather and discuss the EU-US data protection agreement for the first time in Washington, D.C. after EU Justice Ministers approved the start of the negotiations last week.

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