EDPS calls Germany to take the lead in negotiating the EU DP Regulation

Jan. 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor, has urged the German government to take the lead in trying to ensure that the EU DP reform takes place before the elections of the European Parliament and Commission in May this year.

On the 13 January in Bonn, Hustinx said: "Germany claims a special responsibility and role in the area of data protection. The new German government can tackle this subject with the necessary drive and energy and thereby gain acceptance of the German position at European level and lead Europe to a higher level of data protection. However, this will require a constructive and proactive approach in the European debate."

Albeit for different reasons, the resistance by Germany and the United Kingdom has caused a lack of progress in pushing this legislation forward, causing frustration to many

The meeting of EU justice ministers in the 7-8 March next will be an important step in the  this legislation, with a European Parliament plenary vote in the Spring.

Last October the Parliament prepared a compromised position, whoch was praised Hustinx, but cmented:  "Unfortunately, there has been no comparable progress in the Council. Some Member States are still causing delays through general reservations."

On 7^th January last Viviane Reding, the Vice President of the EU commission said: "The Heads of State and Government committed to a 'timely' adoption of the new rules in October. Not much progress has been made since. But I hope that under the Greek presidency that has just started, Member States will now finally take the big decisions needed. The Commission will support the Greek government's ambitious objective to reach an agreement by the summer."