Brussels, 05/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 5 December, the Telecoms Council examined the draft directive that seeks to ensure a high common level of security for communication networks and information systems in the EU. The Lithuanian Presidency presented member states with a progress report on the work so far accomplished. During the previous Council in June, ministers discussed this proposal on the basis of an initial report describing its main elements. The October European Council recognised the importance of the security of network and information systems in meeting the challenges involved in the European agenda for growth and employment, stated Commissioner Neelie Kroes. According to the commissioner, there is no time to lose, the issue has to be concluded. Although discussions progressed, there are still two key questions left on which work still needs to be done: notifying risks and incidents and developing cooperation among the national authorities to ensure coordinated intervention in the event of an incident occurring. Several delegations called for greater flexibility with regard to the intervention arrangements. The commissioner acknowledged that a far-reaching debate was still necessary on the question of cooperation. She stated that “our proposal still allows enormous opportunities but we must find a compromise between Parliament and the Council”. (IL/transl.fl)