MEP in talks with US Homeland Security deputy on passenger records

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil took part in high-level discussions with Jane Lute, as the second-highest official and chief operating officer of the United States  Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The discussions dealt with cooperation between the EU and the US on security and the fight against terrorism and the role of the European Parliament in this area. The main issue at the moment concerns the adoption of a new agreement between the EU and the United States on the exchange of PNR data, that is, the personal details of passengers travelling from Europe to the US.

The European Parliament is currently preparing for a vote which will approve or reject the PNR agreement. The vote is scheduled for March in Committee and for April in the Chamber's plenary.

"Security and counter-terrorism measures are important for both sides of the Atlantic and PNR data is known to have thwarted terrorist attempts," Busuttil, EPP coordinator on civil liberties, justice and home affairs, said in a statement.

"However, the European Parliament also wants to make sure that what has been negotiated by the European Commission truly safeguards the security of citizens without unnecessarily impinging on their civil liberties."

The meeting was led by the President of the EPP Group, Joseph Daul.

The DHS is responsible for the day-to-day business and management of the third largest department in the Federal government of the United States.  It works to secure the nation, while enhancing federal, state, and local capabilities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from threats and disasters of all kinds.