EU and United States reach agreement on transfer of passenger data

The EU Presidency and the Commission reached an interim agreement with the United States on early Friday, 6 October, on the transfer of Passenger Name Record data to the US authorities for counter-terrorism purposes while protecting the privacy of EU citizens. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs was responsible for the negotiations on behalf of the EU.

The interim agreement was reached in a video conference in Luxembourg after nine hours of negotiations, and it will replace the earlier Passenger Name Record data agreement of 2004 between the EU and the United States. The agreement, valid from the signature until the end of July 2007, will be formally approved by the Council at the earliest opportunity.

The interim agreement enables continued transfer of the PNR data in airlines' booking systems to the United States in accordance with understakings made by certain U.S. and border security authorities. The European Union and the United States will commence negotiations on a new PNR agreement as soon as possible.

Press conference webcast, Luxembourg, 6 October(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Joint press release(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

 

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