Declaration on future cooperation of the Central and Eastern Europe Personal Data Protection Commissioners

Having regard to

the necessity of closer cooperation as compliance of personal data protection with common principles cannot be achieved in isolation by any particular country;

Having regard to

the fact that while preparing for the accession to the European Union Member States from Central and Eastern Europe had acquired considerable experience in the personal data protection area, taking over the extensive experience of EU Member States having assistance from European institutions;

Having regard to

the fact that the increased volume of personal data flow resulting from the implementation of new information and communication technologies and the ensuing necessity to adopt appropriate measures for safeguarding the protection of privacy of individuals in accordance with and based upon the commitments of the European Community to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, inasmuch as they are ensured by the European Convention on Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of Individuals in the European Union constitutes for signatories a challenge to address a common problem;

Having regard to

the insufficient level of awareness of individuals of the CEE countries in the area of personal data protection it is necessary to put across new initiatives related to education and promotion of protection of privacy as well as protection of personal data; Having regard to our prospects in the European Union;

We, the hereunder undersigned Commissioners

herewith declare

• our intention to continue in close cooperation and mutual assistance for ensuring an adequate level of personal data protection in our countries and to stay open-minded to the participation of further candidate countries in this cooperation;

• we are open to share our experience with those countries, which are beginning to ensure adequate personal data protection as regards the legislative framework and institutional solutions and we are ready to provide various forms of support in this process;

• particular efforts should be dedicated to improving and increasing the awareness of individuals and institutions of the principles, rights and obligations concerning personal data protection and therefore we support the proposal of the Council of Europe’s Consultative Committee of the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (T-PD) to proclaim the 28th of January the European Data Protection Day;

• special attention should be paid to youth by initiating projects related to data protection and exchanging knowledge and experience in the area of school education concerning human rights and the importance of personal data protection in our countries.

Smolenice, May 24th 2005

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Declaration on future cooperation of the Central and Eastern Europe Personal Data Protection Commissioners