Pan-EU police databases backed by Germany[de] 

On 15-16 February, Berlin will table a formal proposal to let member states have access to the genetic records, fingerprints and traffic offences held by police in other EU countries.

The existing 2005 Prüm Treaty, which provides for greater cross-border police and judicial authority co-operation, was signed by Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Luxemburg, Austria and Belgium, with Finland, Italy, Portugal and Slovenia waiting to join.

German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said: "With the initiative we hope to transpose the wording of the Prüm Treaty into EU legislation to make the added value provided by the treaty available to all 27 EU member states. Our aim is to create a modern police information network for more effective crime control throughout Europe.

"Security is one of the areas for citizens to see that European integration brings additional value," Schäuble added, expressing his further hope that legislation could be in place 1 July 2007, when the EU Presidency will be handed over to Portugal.

The European Commission, led by Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini, supports the German move: "You either accept Prüm [Treaty] or we [the European Commission] have to make a proposal for enhanced co-operation," he told the European Parliament's civil liberties committee on 25 January. 

But the UK and Ireland are at present reluctant to sign up, arguing that more time is needed to examine all the implications of the German proposal.