Valentin Radev: The PNR Directive is an efficient instrument in the fight against serious crime and terrorism

Met dank overgenomen van Bulgaars voorzitterschap Europese Unie 1e helft 2018 (Bulgaars voorzitterschap) i, gepubliceerd op woensdag 21 februari 2018.

Photos: Ministry of Interior

The Bulgarian Minister of Interior Valentin Radev opened today in Sofia an international conference dedicated to the practical aspects of the implementation of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) Directive and its future efficient use.

"Organised crime and terrorism are no longer a national or even an EU i issue only. For this reason, joint efforts and coordinated actions are crucial for guaranteeing the security of our citizens. In this context, we consider the PNR Directive as a new efficient instrument,"

Radev said in his opening remarks.

He underlined that the security of EU citizens is among the main priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency in the area of home affairs, and the discussion of important practical aspects of the implementation of the Directive is of key importance in achieving this goal. The Bulgarian Presidency supports and encourages the efforts for transposing the Directive before the deadline in May 2018.

The Deputy Chairman of the State Agency for National Security, Mr Nikolay Nenkov, pointed out that the National Passenger Information Unit (PIU) functioning within the Agency is one of the first among the EU Member States. Taking into account the valuable support to the competent authorities provided by this instrument, he emphasised the importance of international cooperation in the fight against serious crime and terrorism.

The participants in the conference discussed future cooperation for an effective use of the PNR Directive. They put particular emphasis on further development and enhancement of information exchange. The current state of play of the Directive implementation was reviewed, as well as the relations with third countries. The participants also presented best practices which outlined working solutions for improving the implementation of the PNR Directive.

The conference law enforcement experts from the EU Member States, Australia, Switzerland, the US, as well as representatives of the European Commission, the European Data Protection Supervisor, Europol, Frontex i and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security as part of the calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.