The Minister of the Interior discussed the European Union’s domestic security strategy in Toledo

The Minister of the Interior discussed the European Union’s domestic security strategy in Toledo 

On Thursday, January 21^st, the Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants participated in the informal meeting of the European Union Ministers of Home Affairs and Justice in Toledo, Spain.  

One of the most important agenda items was cooperation in the fight against terrorism that was discussed with the participation of Janet Napolitano, the US Secretary for Homeland Security. At the meeting, the EU ministers of the interior and US Secretary of Homeland Security passed a joint declaration, which stressed the need to intensify the exchange of information between countries and to consider additional possibilities for guaranteeing security in air travel. 

In their speeches, the ministers emphasized that the support for third countries, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the fight against terrorism should be coordinated more effectively. The ministers also pointed out the need to accelerate work on the directive that would allow the use of booking information of European Union air travelers. 

 “The experience of various countries demonstrates that air travelers’ booking information is of significant help to law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism and organized crime. Since the use of booking information speeds up the control of the travelers, it also makes it simpler and more convenient for the travelers,” Minister of the Interior Pomerants said. At the same time, the minister stressed that this assumes the establishment of very clear rules for the use and preservation of the data.

On his visit, Minister of the Interior Marko Pomerants was accompanied by Kristo Põllu and Uku Särekanno, Councillors of Internal Affairs at the Estonian Permanent Delegation to the European Union and Maila Sass, Councillor of the Ministry of the Interior on European Union Matters.