Overleg tussen VS en EU wordt gedomineerd door kwestie databescherming (en)

The European Union i (EU) and the United States of America (US) justice and home affairs ministerial meeting took place on 18 November in Washington. The parties agreed that issues related to the data protection and the alleged activities of U.S. intelligence agencies caused tensions in transatlantic relationship, and therefore it must be reduced.

On behalf of the Lithuanian Presidency i of the Council Minister of Justice of Lithuania Juozas Bernatonis and Vice-Minister of the Interior of Lithuania Elvinas Jankevičius, the European Commission (EC) Vice-President, Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Commissioner Viviane Reding i and the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström i participated in the meeting with the U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., and Acting Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, Rand Beers.

After the meeting a joint press statement was released, which noted that a broad array of issues critical to the EU and the US, including: addressing the problem of sexual abuse of children online; coordinating work on counter-terrorism and security issues; countering violent extremism; expanding cooperation in criminal matters; joint efforts in the areas of cybercrime and cybersecurity; and mobility, migration and border issues were discussed. In addition, the rights of victims of crime, the rights of persons with disabilities, and the prosecution of hate crimes were discussed.

During the meeting the issues related to data protection and the alleged activities of the U.S. intelligence agencies were addressed.

"We together recognise that this has led to regrettable tensions in the transatlantic relationship which we seek to lessen. In order to protect all our citizens, it is of the utmost importance to address these issues by restoring trust and reinforcing our cooperation on justice and home affairs issues" - states the joint press statement.

The EU and the U.S. committed to advance rapidly in the negotiations on a meaningful and comprehensive data protection umbrella agreement in the field of law enforcement. The agreement would facilitate transfer of data in the context of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters by ensuring high level of personal data protection for U.S. and EU citizens.

"We are committed to working to resolve the remaining issues raised by both sides, including judicial redress (a critical issue for the EU). Our aim is to complete the negotiations on the agreement ahead of summer 2014“, notes a joint press statement. “As these on-going processes continue, they contribute to restoring trust, and to ensuring that we continue our vital law enforcement cooperation in order to protect EU and U.S. citizens.”