The USA must provide full transparency about the activities of the National Security Agency (NSA) in relation to EU Institutions and EU Member States. "We have taken action and will actively work for a proper investigation into the American Secret Service activities. We call on the Obama Administration to reveal and explain. Full transparency is the only way to regain our trust", said EPP Group MEP Axel Voss ahead of today's debate in plenary.

The Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament is setting up an inquiry team to investigate the role and the activities of the NSA. "We care about the matter. The activities of our transatlantic partners cannot be left unanswered. The quicker the US authorities can put us in the picture, the better. We need to make it crystal clear that we cannot accept such conduct. For the time being, we should think about cancelling trips of the European Parliament’s committees or delegations to the USA, for example, until we have full clarity and an apology from the Obama Administration", said Voss.

"The European economy also seems to be substantially affected by the NSA activities. Potentially, there is a lot of damage. We need full transparency about the operations as companies affected must be able to inform their clients. Besides, we need to put some effort into securing full legal protection for all European citizens in the USA in the future", said the EPP Group MEP.

The EU-US talks on a Transatlantic Trade Agreement ought go ahead as scheduled, however. "It is also in the vital interest of the EU to reach a comprehensive trade agreement with the USA to boost growth and create jobs", concluded Axel Voss.

For further information:

Axel VOSS MEP, tel..:+33-33-81-75302

Thomas Bickl, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, tel.:+32-478-215372

Note to Editors

The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 274 Members from 27 Member States.