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Mr Chaika said that Russia had formulated the idea of a common European legal space and forwarded it to the Council of Europe.

He said that a common data bank would enable its users to quickly gather the latest information on different legal aspects of European countries, specifically in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Putin, in turn, proposed that this initiative be discussed at the upcoming Russia-EU summit in St Petersburg.

Pardon issues were also discussed. Mr Putin gave instruction to Mr Chaika to prepare a report on the pardon situation until June 1. Mr Chaika praised the positive aspects of an earlier decision to grant regional chiefs the right to pardon and send their conclusions to the President.

Now the job was handled not by 15–20 people on the Presidential Pardon Commission, but by up to 300. Petitions could be examined locally, with responsibility for the work resting on governors.

Mr Putin pointed to the need for the closer coordination of efforts between the Ministry and human rights activists.