MEPs voice serious concerns over Russia's request for air passenger data

Russia's requirement for European airlines to hand over passengers' data is a "very worrying issue" that could create a precedent for other countries, said Civil Liberties Committee MEPs in a debate with Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström on Monday evening.

 In July 2012 the Russian Transport Ministry adopted a decree requiring European airlines to transfer air passengers' data (also known as Passenger Name Record -PNR-) as from July 1st 2013. This also applies to over flights. Commenting on this, Ms Malmström said that "this measure will create huge problems for air carriers" because they are not allowed under EU law to send those data to third countries.

 Ms Malmström pointed out the need for a "long-term viable solution" and she warned that the Commission will "make the link" between the Russian request for PNR data and the planned review of the current visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia, which entered into force in 2007.

 The Commissioner also criticised the lack of information from the Russian authorities: "they did not tell us, we found out about it by ourselves", she said. She also told MEPs that, due to technical issues, Russia will not start collecting PNR data on July 1st, "but we need guarantees that this will be suspended until we have all information we need", she added. A technical meeting between the Commission and Russian officials will take place next week.

 PNR - visa facilitation

 "This is a very worrying issue", said Véronique Mathieu (EPP, FR), who asked to "address the visa issue as leverage". She also warned that airlines will have to bear the economic cost of this measure, also in terms of employment.

 "I'm highly sceptical about how this will fit in with the visa facilitation process", commented Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL, DE).

 EU PNR: a solution?

 "Discussions must be based on an EU approach, rather than giving a random response to any particular case", pointed out Timothy Kirkhope (ECR, UK). "It is a pity that we do not have an EU PNR system", said Ms Mathieu, arguing that "if we could act together, we would be able to negotiate on a firmer footage".

 "I'm very critical when it comes to the question of whether we need an EU PNR system", highlighted Birgit Sippel (S&D, DE). "I'm against the use of PNR data without having any suspicion, it goes against the treaties and the [EU] Charter [of Fundamental Rights]", commented Jan Albrecht (Greens/EFA, DE).

 What happens with other countries?

 "This could create a precedent for any other major country to begin their own PNR system", explained Claude Moraes (S&D, UK).

 The EU concluded PNR deals with the US and Australia and a third one with Canada is being negotiated. Sophie in' T Veld (ALDE, NL) said that "we have asked the Commission time and time again what it would do if other countries knocked at the door". She also explained that the Commission refused in the past to start PNR negotiations with countries such as Qatar.

"I don't think that because we have PNR agreements with the US and Australia we need to have one with Russia", Sarah Ludford (ALDE, UK) explained.

 Replying to MEPs' questions, Commissioner Malmström pointed out that "we do not plan to enter into any PNR negotiations for the moment, but this has to be discussed on a case-by-case basis". She also excluded the possibility to negotiate a PNR deal with Russia. "It is not on the agenda for the moment", she concluded.

Anna van Densky

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