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EU, US fail to reach deal on passenger data

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, Oct 1, IRNA
EU-US-Passenger Data
The European Union and the US have failed to reach a deal on the passenger name record (PNR) data but have agreed to continue talks to find a solution.

"Although the negotiations on a PNR agreement between the EU and the US could not be concluded before October 1, 2006, European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini and US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Cherftoff have agreed that the negotiations will continue in a constructive atmosphere with a view to concluding an agreement as soon as possible," the, European Commission said in a statement Sunday.

The EU and the US had agreed in 2004 on transfer of airline passengers' personal data to US security officials for all US-bound flights as part of the war on terror.

But the European Court of Justice ruled against the deal last May following objections by the European Parliament on the legality of the agreement and set a deadline of September 30 for a new agreement to be reached between the EU and the US.

In the meantime, the Commission urged US to continue to apply the safeguards for PNR data that were laid down in the now-lapsed 2004 agreement until such time as a new agreement is reached so as to minimize the risk of legal uncertainty and disruption to EU-US flights.

European airlines now face a dilemma. US authorities could deny them entry into the US if they do not provide the PNR. If they do, the airlines will be breaching EU laws.

Airlines are compelled to provide US authorities with details about passengers including addresses, telephone numbers, email, credit card information, food preferences, 15 minutes before departure of a flight.

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