It has been reported that U. S. President Barack Obama congratulated the European Parliament on Thursday for approving revisions to the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program.

The program has provided critical investigative leads since its creation after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

The president said, "These leads have aided countries around the world in preventing or investigating many of the past decade's most visible and violent terrorist attacks and attempted attacks."

Revisions to the program approved by the EU provide additional privacy safeguards in the processing and transfer of financial messaging data.

Protecting privacy and civil liberties is a top priority of his administration, Obama further said. (With inputs from Agencies)