Memo: Statement by European Commission Spokeswoman on U.S. President Obama’s remarks on the review of U.S. intelligence programmes / Brussels welcomes Obama’s review of US spying programmes

The European Commission on 17 January 2013 welcomed President Obama's remarks and presidential directive on the review of U.S. intelligence programmes. The Commission in particular welcomed the President's willingness to begin to address wide-spread concerns related to the large-scale data collection by the NSA, concerns which are shared by many European citizens.

As the European Commission stated on 27 November 2013, trust in EU-U.S. data flows has been affected by revelations on these intelligence programmes and needs to be rebuilt. In recognising the need for action, President Obama has taken important steps towards rebuilding that trust.

Peter Swire, a US intelligence oversight panellist, told journalists on the 27 January 2014 that major economic deals, which looked as if they could cause “difficulties” for the US, were a legitimate reason to spy on EU leaders.

ESO: Background information: MEPs not convinced by positive reports of data exchange deals with the US http://www.europeansources.info/record/meps-not-convinced-by-positive-reports-of-data-exchange-deals-with-the-us/

ESO: Background information: NSA: White House task force recommends surveillance curbs http://www.europeansources.info/record/nsa-white-house-task-force-recommends-surveillance-curbs/

ESO: Background information: Obama invites Merkel to Washington after NSA surveillance row http://www.europeansources.info/record/obama-invites-merkel-to-washington-after-nsa-surveillance-row/

EUObserver, 18.01.14: Obama promises not to spy on EU leaders http://euobserver.com/justice/122769

EurActiv, 20.01.14: Brussels welcomes Obama’s review of US spying programs http://www.euractiv.com/infosociety/commission-welcomes-obama-review-news-532871

The Guardian, 17.01.14: Obama announces new limits on NSA surveillance programs – live reaction http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/17/obama-nsa-surveillance-reforms-speech-live

The New York Times, 17.01.14: Presidential Policy Directive on Signals Intelligence Activities http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/18/us/politics/18obama-nsa-directive-document.html

The New York Times, 17.01.14: Obama’s Speech on N.S.A. Phone Surveillance http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/18/us/politics/obamas-speech-on-nsa-phone-surveillance.html

The Guardian, 17.01.14: Obama presents NSA reforms with plan to end government storage of call data http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/17/obama-nsa-reforms-end-storage-americans-call-data

Euronews, 17.01.14: Obama bans spying on leaders of U.S. allies, scales back NSA program http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/17/obama-bans-spying-on-leaders-of-u-s-allies-scales-back-nsa-program/

Deutsche Welle, 18.01.14: Obama NSA reform proposals receive mixed reaction in Berlin http://dw.de/p/1At1U

Deutsche Welle, 18.01.14: Actions must follow Obama's words on NSA, Germans say http://dw.de/p/1AtFZ

Deutsche Welle, 18.01.14: Obama placates Germany over NSA http://dw.de/p/1AtGH

Euronews, 19.01.14: Obama tells Merkel the US won’t wire tap http://www.euronews.com/2014/01/19/obama-tells-merkel-the-us-won-t-wire-tap/

Deutsche Welle, 20.01.14: German Interior Minister de Maiziere warns over NSA 'fixation' http://dw.de/p/1AtWH

Euro|Topics, 20.01.14: Obama sets stricter limits for NSA http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2014-01-20-Obama-sets-stricter-limits-for-NSA

EUObserver, 27.01.14: Obama advisor: Pipeline deals could see US spy on EU leaders http://euobserver.com/justice/122879

European Parliament: EPRS: Key Source, 22.03.14: Memo: Statement by European Commission Spokeswoman on U.S. President Obama's remarks on the review of U.S. intelligence programmes / Brussels welcomes Obama’s review of US spying programmes http://epthinktank.eu/2014/03/22/reactions-on-president-obamas-nsa-reform-plan/

---