France renews push to share passenger info after attacks

[PARIS] French President Francois Hollande repeated calls on Thursday for Europe to implement long-delayed plans for EU countries to share airline passenger information in the wake of the latest jihadist attacks.

"The message from the president of the Republic is that France is firmly behind a number of decisions concerning the European PNR (Passenger Name Record), which is still not adopted," said government spokesman Stephane Le Foll following a cabinet meeting.

The PNR system, also backed by Germany, would allow governments to access information including names, bank card details and addresses of every passenger travelling by plane in the EU.

It was first proposed in 2007, but has been delayed over privacy concerns.

Draft legislation was finally agreed in December following the Paris attacks, but has yet to be put in force.

France will put forward its case "very strongly and clearly" at a meeting of EU interior and justice ministers on Thursday in Brussels, Le Foll said.

AFP