European Union signs agreements on the transfer of passenger name record data with Norway and Iceland

Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner (pictured) has signed bilateral agreements, on behalf of the European Union, to transfer passenger name record (PNR) data with Norway and Iceland. The two countries were represented by State Secretary to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Joakim Øren, and the Permanent Secretary to the Icelandic Ministry of Justice, Haukur Gudmundsson. 

These agreements will allow Norway and Iceland to receive PNR data, information provided by passengers during the reservation and check-in process, from air carriers operating between these countries and the EU member states. This will strengthen law enforcement cooperation between the EU, Norway and Iceland in the Schengen Area, and help step up the joint fight against terrorism and serious and organised crime. The agreements guarantee a high level of protection of privacy through strong data protection safeguards and provide legal certainty to air carriers.

Following the signature, Norway and Iceland will launch their respective national ratification procedures. On the EU side, it is now for the European Parliament to endorse the text before the Council can adopt the decisions to conclude these agreements.

The EU has already signed agreements allowing EU carriers to transfer PNR data to the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. The new agreements with Norway and Iceland are another step in the EU's commitment to strengthen law enforcement cooperation and information exchange partnerships, based on shared values and fundamental rights.

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