Brussels, 08/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - At the end of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF, 2-5 September) in Istanbul, the MEPs Pilar de Castillo (EPP, Spain), Paul Rübig (Greens/EFA, Austria), Sabine Verheyen (EPP, Germany), Renato Soru (S&D, Italy), and Julia Reda (Greens/EFA,Germany) published - along with European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes - a joint statement in which they call for a free and open internet to be maintained. “Access to internet is critical for fundamental freedoms and economic development. Continued access to a free and open internet depends on effective governance”, they state. The MEPs and Kroes call for (1) expanded internet access globally; (2) maintenance of the internet as a global, open and common resource and non-discriminatory access to knowledge; (3) greater accountability and transparency in the multi-stakeholder internet governance model; (4) rejection of any government interference; (5) a stable and secure mandate for the IGF; (5) recognition that fundamental freedoms and human rights are not negotiable and must be protected online. The MEPs and Kroes want the IGF to be an annual event, conducive for cooperation between all parties at global level for a common and shared management of the internet. (IL)