New measures to improve the sharing of criminal records information  between EU Member States strike the right balance between security and individual rights.

The legislation, which is being piloted through the European Parliament by ECR MEP Dan Dalton, was approved today by the  Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.

Today ECR MEP Rupert Matthews launched Projekt Hansa to promote trade, tourism and develop cultural links across northern Europe.

The new initiative builds on the legacy of the medieval Hanseatic League which established trade links across the British Isles, Scandinavia, northern Germany, and the Baltic.

Chair of Projekt Hansa, Rupert Matthews MEP, said: " We are using an old idea to bring new life to northern Europe's trade and cultural connections which I hope will strengthen the economies of all our countries.