EU–Norway Agreement on transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime

The European Parliament adopted 532 votes to 72, with 26 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway on the transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorist offences and serious crime.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

Norway and EU Member States that are contracting parties to the Schengen Convention have a shared responsibility to ensure internal security within a common area without internal border controls, including by exchanging relevant information.

Existing agreements on Passenger Name Record data processing with third countries have demonstrated the potential to enhance security of the Schengen area. They improve the prevention and detection of terrorism and serious crime offences, including trafficking in drugs, firearms and human beings, at EU external borders, as well as provide for a risk-based data-driven approach that Member States can use as a compensatory measure for the absence of internal border controls within the Schengen area.

Under the current framework, Norway may not lawfully receive and process PNR data on flights operated by air carriers between the Union and Norway. The main purpose of this Agreement is to bridge the security gap existing in the Schengen area and thus enable the air carriers to transfer the PNR data to Norway and vice versa. However, the transfer and processing of personal data, including PNR data, requires strict limitations and effective safeguards.