Only a European PNR system would close security gaps - Hoofdinhoud

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament considers that today's deal on the collection of passenger data (PNR) does not bring the security citizens may expect and regrets that the key issue of insufficient information sharing between Member States has not been resolved. Following the fifth and last round of negotiations between the European Parliament, the European Commission and Member States today, European Liberals and Democrats say the mandatory exchange of information between Member States is key to improve security.

Sophie In' t Veld, ALDE group first vice-president and shadow rapporteur, said: "The outcome of the trilogue is very disappointing. Security gaps have not been closed by this Directive and it will not bring the full exchange of information between member states that we need. ALDE has always maintained that mere data collection does not bring more security, sharing available information does. All we have achieved is creating 28 national systems piling up data".

"Terrorists and criminals work together seamlessly across borders, but national security services are more attached to national sovereignty than to security. Unfortunately, Member States have not learnt any lessons from the terrorist attacks: member states continue to refuse mandatory information sharing.

"One of the Paris attackers killed dozens of people, got into his car, and drove to Brussels to meet his friends. He was stopped and checked on the way by the French police, but as information had not been shared, the police was not informed and let him continue his way undisturbed. ALDE finds such information gaps unacceptable, but Member States and some political groups refused to address this".

"So we do not get more security, but we did lose on rights and freedoms. That is a lose-lose scenario"