Brussels, 08/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Over the next six months, the Irish Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers will keep up the pressure in order to attain the objectives set by the Digital Agenda with the commissioner responsible, Neelie Kroes, suggesting that progress made so far is clearly insufficient. On 18 December, the European Commission published the most urgent priorities for 2013-2014 in order to pursue the objectives set out in the EUROPE 2020 digital strategy (see EUROPE 10754).
The Irish Presidency will continue work on the draft regulationon guidelines for the trans-European telecommunications networks presented by the European Commission in October 2011. The draft regulation establishes guidelines covering the objectives and priorities envisaged in the field of broadband networks and digital public service infrastructure. The aim is to develop the necessary infrastructure for broadband to become a reality for all citizens. Furthermore, an agreement is expected in Council during the first half of 2013 on the proposal relating to the re-use of public service information by the private sector, after a first trialogue was held under Cypriot Presidency on 17 December last year. Common ground has still to be found concerning the pricing and arrangements for exclusivity agreements for certain public sector bodies, as the last Telecommunications Council pointed out on 20 December 2012. Discussions will also continue on the draft regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions within the internal market pending a vote by the industry, research and energy committee (ITRE) at the European Parliament, scheduled for July 2013. The security of the networks and of information will also be a priority matter, and the Commission is soon to present a European strategy on cyber-security. (IL/transl.jl)