Brussels, 19/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - EU telecoms ministers at their meeting in Granada on Monday 19 April (videoconference) examined a new strategy for the European digital agenda for the next 15 years that is to be drawn up together with the European Commission. After the meeting, they will publish a “Granada Strategy” of guidelines for telecoms to feed into the EU 2020 strategy and carry on in the wake of the i2010 strategy. Because of air traffic restrictions, the only ministers able to attend the meeting in person (planned for 18-20 April) were José Mariano Gago of Portugal, Alexandar Tsvetkov of Bulgaria and Nikolaos Sifounakis of Greece. Aneesh Chopra, who is responsible for new technology in the United States administration, was also able to attend the Granada meeting. Other European ministers joined in by videoconference and other Member States sent diplomatic representatives to stand in for the politicians.
According to Spanish Secretary of State for Telecommunications Francisco Ros, the new strategy's objective is for “Europe to maintain its predominance in areas where it is a leader, and to make progress in those where it is not” in terms of information technologies. The “Spanish Proposal for a Digital Europe” establishes five main action areas: infrastructure; advanced internet usage; the European charter of users' rights; the development of digital services and content; and the strengthening of the information technology sector. The intention is to seek the development of next-generation networks, as well as ways of encouraging the necessary investment by private operators. The Spanish Presidency believes that Europe should provide itself with a "proper" infrastructure network, involving significant investment which will largely be carried out by the network providers themselves, according to Ros. According to the secretary of state, the development of new telecommunications networks and services can be promoted by public authorities through actions such as allocating new frequencies to private network providers. The Spanish proposal will be discussed in Granada and will be the starting point for the 31 May Telecoms Council (I.L./transl.fl)