Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) gave their input to the upcoming negotiations with Jordan, Turkey, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, and Algeria on data exchanges with Europol in a vote on 4 July. The aim of strengthening cooperation is to prevent and combat terrorism and organized crime, and to better address migration-related challenges such as the facilitation of irregular migration and trafficking in human beings.
A thorough impact assessment is needed to evaluate the risks posed by the proposed transfers of personal data, say MEPs. Clear safeguards are necessary not only to protect data, but also to ensure that fundamental rights and freedoms are respected, given the differing legal frameworks, societal characteristics and cultural backgrounds of the eight countries as compared with the EU. If the agreements do not afford a level of protection equivalent to that provided by EU law, then they cannot be concluded, say the resolutions.
The Council has already given the EU Commission the green light to start negotiations on behalf of the EU. Parliament will have to give its consent to the agreements after they have been negotiated, but before they can be concluded.
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