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

The European Parliament adopted by 549 votes to 75, with 30 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

The agreement enables the transfer of PNR data by air carriers from the EU to Switzerland in full respect of the rights provided in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular the right to private and family life recognised in Article 7 of the Charter and the right to the protection of personal data recognised in Article 8 of the Charter. In particular, the agreement includes appropriate safeguards for the protection of personal data transferred under the Agreement.

Furthermore, the agreement fosters police and judicial cooperation between the Swiss competent authorities and those of the Member States as well as Europol and Eurojust, with the aim to effectively ensure internal security in the absence of internal border controls within the Schengen area.