Aanhef

The Kingdom of Belgium;

the Federal Republic of Germany;

the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg;

the Kingdom of the Netherlands;

the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

hereinafter referred to as the contracting Parties,

Considering that it is the task of the central authorities responsible for the registration of vehicle and driving licence data to contribute to the prevention, investigation and prosecution of offences against the regulations of individual States;

Recognising the need for an effective mutual exchange of information about driving licence data in order to ensure that people are qualified to drive vehicles in accordance with national and international regulations;

Recognising the need also for an effective mutual exchange of information about vehicle data in order to ensure that vehicles are correctly licensed and/or registered for use on the road;

Mindful of the importance of holding accurate vehicle and driving licence data that can be used in relation to the investigation and prosecution of offences;

Considering that public safety is seriously threatened by the increase in international vehicle-related crime;

Convinced that co-operation between the central authorities responsible for the registration of vehicle and driving licence data must be reinforced by laying down procedures enabling these authorities both to co-ordinate their actions and to exchange personal and other information concerning the registration of vehicles and driving licences with the aid of new data management and data transmission technology;

Considering the data protection provisions of Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995;

have agreed the following: