By Martin Banks - 18th March 2010
If possible, we want to see an agreement concluded under the Belgian presidency
Martin Schulz
EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding has said that MEP demands on privacy protection on European bank transfers "will be guaranteed".
Her comments come after parliament's recent decision to reject the Swift agreement between the EU and US.
The decision caused outcry in the US, which sees such a deal as vital in the fight against international terrorism.
MEPs vetoed the agreement on the grounds that it would adversely affect the rights of EU citizens.
But Reding told a European Policy Centre debate in Brussels on Thursday that such fears were ungrounded.
She said, "I can tell you that, following discussions with the American authorities, that the guarantees regarding privacy which were required by parliament will be met."
Meanwhile, German MEP Martin Schulz, leader of the Socialist group in parliament, said, "The EU and US Obama administration has accepted MEP concerns."
Speaking after discussions with high-ranking members of the US administration in Washington on the controversial Swift agreement, Schulz called for MEPs to be involved in new talks.
Schulz, who headed an S&D group delegation to the Washington talks, said, "We made it absolutely clear that whilst such an agreement can serve valid US security interests in the fight against terrorism, it would be unthinkable unless it respects EU citizens' basic data-protection rights and these rights can be enforced.
"In this context we mentioned the constitutions of our member states, the EU charter of fundamental rights and recent rulings made by the German constitutional court.
"Our counterparts expressed clear understanding, for the first time, of parliament's concerns.
"They agreed to include protection of fundamental rights in a new agreement, as long as they are compatible with US law, or to engage in the search for a solution."
Schulz added, "Members of the US administration assured us that they are not planning to conclude bilateral agreements but want an agreement with the EU as a whole.
"Given US willingness to negotiate, the commission is now called on to develop a strategy and a mandate for the negotiations, avoiding earlier mistakes.
"This means the inclusion of parliament from the outset in the draft, the debate and the decision on the mandate for negotiations. In particular, the council is called on to act constructively."
Schulz said participants in the talks agreed that earlier negotiations had been marked by "the anti-terror philosophy of the Bush administration".
"The present administration - and first and foremost president Obama - attach great importance to respect for fundamental rights," he said.
"They understand the concerns of parliament. If a Swift agreement were concluded that combined security policy and fundamental rights it would demonstrate this change in attitude.
"As Socialists and Democrats we want to work towards a consensus, but only, if our pre-conditions are met.
"If possible, we want to see an agreement concluded under the Belgian presidency of the EU council. A clear time-frame lies in the interest of both sides."
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