Brussels, 24/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - Heads of state and/or government will, on Friday 26 June, adopt recommendations designed to support the digital single market strategy proposed by the European Commission on 6 May.
In draft conclusions dated 22 June, they underline the immense opportunities that digital technologies bring for growth and employment. Addressing fragmentation and building supporting infrastructure will be crucial to creating the digital single market. The European Council is also expected to stress the need to adopt the telecommunications single market regulation and the directive on network and information security and back a radio spectrum policy coordinated at European level, while respecting national powers.
The Council is likely to recommend five priority areas for the roadmap: 1) removing the remaining barriers to the free movement of goods and services sold online; 2) guaranteeing portability and facilitating cross-border access to online content protected by copyright and helping creative industries to thrive in a digital context; 3) boosting investment and improving the innovation climate, with the focus, in particular, on SMEs and start-ups; 4) identifying and rapidly delivering on the key ICT standardisation priorities; 5) assessing the role of online platforms and intermediaries.
Pressure from eight countries. On 23 June, ahead of the summit, the heads of state and/or government of eight member states - Ireland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Poland and United Kingdom - wrote to European Council President Donald Tusk and to their counterparts in the other member states calling on European leaders to send a clear signal in support of the Commission's digital strategy. They stress the need for a successful transition to a digital economy, overcoming the technical complexities and the political difficulties that will inevitably be encountered. Highlighting the difficulty currently being experienced by new companies in expanding beyond their national borders, making new clients and entering new markets, they argue that digital development can only be beneficial for these companies and that new jobs will be created thanks to a more favourable business environment. “This is extremely important for countries that are on the path of economic recovery. The Digital Single Market should therefore be used as a vehicle for inclusive growth in all regions within the EU”, state the eight countries in their letter.
The signatories also acknowledge the clear guidelines of the digital single market strategy on the most important issues. The three pillars proposed for the roadmap are fully appropriate, they say, and that is why the Commission has to be given strong political support to encourage it to continue in that direction. “There is no greater opportunity at our disposal to make a real difference for investment, growth and jobs, and deliver a vital boost to Europe's future global competitiveness”, they state. The eight say that the level of ambition on copyright, consumer rules and regulations to facilitate online trade for SMEs must be high. They go on: “Our objective should be for Europe to have a superior, highly competitive digital ecosystem that propels our competitiveness and growth. A prerequisite is that Europe's Digital Single Market is open and connected to the wider world”.
The eight heads of state and/or government urge swift action in the areas that will bring the most tangible benefits to consumers, that is to say, ending roaming charges, the portability of cross-border digital content and less bureaucratic administrative procedures in public administrations. Not to mention the direct benefits that digital technologies will bring in sectors of direct interest to European citizens, such as education, health and transport.
The letter also warns against the temptation of over-regulating: smart regulation, based on impact studies, is the path to be followed, they argue. (Isabelle Lamberty)