During tonight's negotiations with Council to find an agreement on the Telecoms Package, European Liberals and Democrats will not bow to Council's pressure to weaken the fundamental rights of Internet users. The Council is steering to a deal giving Member States the right to cut off Internet users from the internet who are suspected to infringe copyright laws without the need for a court ruling.

Lena EK (Centerpartiet, Sweden), ALDE Coordinator on the ITRE committee, made clear the ALDE group will not give in to Council's demands: "European Liberals and Democrats will not accept a deal restricting the fundamental rights and freedoms of Internet users without a prior procedure that respects the principle of the presumption of innocence. Cutting people off from their main source of information is extreme and it is extremely important that European citizens are protected from any arbitrary measures."

Adina VALEAN (PNL, Romania), who leads the ALDE on this dossier, criticized: "I consider that, at this stage of the negotiation, the EP negotiating team is betraying its mandate. The 2nd reading vote clearly meant that we had to ensure that no restriction to internet access could be imposed on citizens without prior ruling of an independent authority. By giving in to the Council demands, the EP team is clearly out of its mandate.  Good legislation cannot be at the expenses of civil liberties."

EP's Vice-President Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN (FDP, Germany), member of ALDE's negotiating team, said: "Internet users must not be denied access to what is today one of their main sources of information and social interaction. Arbitrary national legislation blocking users' access to the Internet is not the way to strengthening European society."

Corinne LEPAGE (MoDem, France), member of ALDE's negotiating team, concluded: "Our red line is clear: Internet users must be entitled to a legal decision before any sanction. We will firmly oppose any delaying tactics by the Council aiming at imposing a more or less expeditious procedure, in violation of the right of access which must be regarded as a fundamental right in the 21st century."

The Trilogue with representatives of EP, Council and Commission will start at 20h00 tonight.