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Commission responds to MEP concerns on SWIFT deal
March 24, 2010 3:00 PM
The European Commission today put forward a fresh negotiating mandate for a new and improved US-EU 'SWIFT' terrorist finance tracking agreement. Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford said:
"The rejection last month by the European Parliament of the interim agreement has usefully made the European Commission responsive to MEPs' demands for better protection of civil liberties."
"The Commission's recommendation of stronger privacy safeguards such as limitations on data storage and redress in case of misuse are a good step forward. Its proposal that the agreement incorporate reciprocal availability of US data for EU anti-terrorism efforts is also an improvement."
"Overall, the mandate signals the prospect of a better deal that fights terrorism while guaranteeing European citizens' right to privacy. EU governments should accept it quickly so that negotiations can move forward."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The interim 'SWIFT' or 'Terrorist Financing Tracking Programme' agreement was signed by EU governments with the US authorities on 30 November 2009 and entered into force provisionally at the beginning of February. On 11 February however the European Parliament, which under the Lisbon treaty has to give consent to the agreement, voted to terminate the agreement due to substantial data protection and privacy concerns. Bilateral legal assistance agreements have since been used to send US authorities any necessary counterterrorism information.
This new negotiating mandate put forward by the Commission now needs to be approved by EU governments in the Council and then negotiations with the US will begin afresh. It is hoped that a new deal will be finalised, with the Parliament's consent, by the summer.
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