EU home affairs ministers today gave the go-ahead to a controversial agreement between the EU and the US on passenger data retention (PNR), with the deal now set to be considered by the European Parliament (1). On the same day, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EPDS) has outlined concerns with the agreement (2). The Greens have hit out at the agreement as failing to address the fundamental rights concerns raised by the European Parliament, various European courts and now the EPDS.

Today Parliament approved measures to realise a single permit application for third country nationals to live and work in the EU without having to provide different sets of documentation for each EU Member State.

Welcoming the broad political and institutional efforts by all parties in the drafting of a positive directive on the European protection order, Swedish GUE/NGL MEP and Chair of Parliament's Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee, Mikael Gustafsson said the new provisions were "a further step towards a safer Europe for all citizens, but especially for women who make up a large majority of the victims".

New EU rules strengthening the right to information of accused persons and suspects in criminal proceedings were today adopted by the European Parliament (1). The Greens welcomed the new rules, which will ensure suspects and accused persons are given information on their rights in a language they understand prior to any interview, as well as access to materials relating to the case. After the vote, Green home affairs spokesperson Jan Philipp Albrecht said:

"That the EU summit did not succeed in bringing about a breakthrough to solve the global financial crisis is beyond doubt," said GUE/NGL President Lothar Bisky responding to Commission and Council statements on the outcome of the 8-9 December summit.

"The much sought-after "trust" of the markets presupposes that markets are rational and ignores the greed for short-term profits as the key driving force of market activities", President Bisky explained.