BRUSSELS - The EU Commission has referred Italy to the Court of Justice of the European Union for
failing to comply with certain obligations regarding the exchange of information established by the rules on cross-border cooperation in the fight against terrorism and crime
.
These rules, the Commission recalls, "are a fundamental tool in the fight against terrorism and crime", and "allow for the rapid exchange of information on DNA, fingerprints and national vehicle registration data, allowing the authorities to identify suspects and to establish links between criminal cases across the Union ".
Member States had to fully implement the rules by August 2011. The Commission launched an infringement procedure against Italy by sending a letter of formal notice, followed in 2017 by a reasoned opinion, and urging Italy to fully comply legal obligations.
After repeated investigations on the progress made by Italy in fulfilling its obligations, "it is noted that to date Italy still does not allow other Member States to access its data relating to DNA, fingerprints and registration of vehicles ".