French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said today that Paris will raise the sensitive issue of personal data protection at a summit of European leaders to be held on Thursday and Friday, following new revelations about the surveillance of millions of French citizens by the US National Security Agency (NSA).
French President Francois Hollande "will ask the European Union to have a regulation on the issue of personal data," Fabius said after meeting with his European counterparts in Luxembourg.
One of the key issues to be discussed at the summit concerns the development of the “digital agenda” in Europe. Fabius explained that this issue is “very important, but it is not possible to develop the digital agenda without the protection of personal data.”.
A complex debate is already underway among European countries regarding the possibility of implementing common rules for the protection of personal data collected by online companies and social networking sites such as Amazon, Google and Facebook.
Fabius added that he will ask for "explanations" from his American counterpart John Kerry during the meeting they are scheduled to have tomorrow in Paris.
"We have a cooperation with the US that is very useful in combating terrorism, but this cooperation does not justify everything. Therefore, we urgently request clarifications, explanations, justifications.".
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he "understands France's indignation and anger" towards the US because "between partners and friends" such things should not happen.
"It is important to obtain clarification because the issue does not only concern France but also other countries, especially Germany," said the head of German diplomacy.
Source: zougla.gr
