Strasburg. “Finally! [Yesterday was] a good day for Europe. The adoption of the Passenger Name Records (PNR) agreement will increase citizen security and the efficacy of law enforcement in combatting terrorism,” said Angelino Alfano, Italy’s minster of Interior, in response to the adoption of the PNR directive in Strasburg by the European Parliament. The Directive passed with a large majority (461 in favour versus 179 opposed). “The creation of this tool,” continued Alfano, “was backed by Italy since its European Union presidency. Thanks to temporary data storage and effective sharing between member states, this will allow national police, and in some circumstances Europol, to acquire information about passengers when they book tickets or check in. The data that can be shared include flight dates and times, destinations, contacts, travel agencies, means of payment, seat numbers, any baggage information, etc. This is useful in prevention, pursuit, investigation and conviction in terrorism and other serious cases.” (9colonne)
