The Digital Assembly that took place in Malta on 15-16 June provided an opportunity to celebrate two key events: the end of roaming charges and the change in a few weeks’ time of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. Protection of privacy and the data economy were also at the heart of the discussions.
The Digital Assembly is an event organised every year (since 2011) by the European Commission (DG Connect) together with the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss major challenges in European digital policy.
Several MEPs were also present: the rapporteur on the draft regulation on private life and electronic communications, Marju Lauristin (S&D, Estonia), outlined the main lines of her report recently published and indicated that this report introduced certain clarifications, particularly on cookies. The rapporteur on the draft regulation to tackle unfair geo-blocking, Roza Thun (EPP, Poland), encouraged participants to demonstrate political courage by putting an end to geo-blocking. Michal Boni (EPP, Poland) argued for the free movement of data, whilst expressing a preference for soft law.
During his speech, Commission Vice-President Andrus Ansip of course reaffirmed his support for this dossier. He underlined the importance of association and trade agreements that can facilitate trade in data, ensure cyber security cooperation and put a brake on digital protectionism. He also said that the Commission was currently examining possible compliance decisions (on data protection) with Japan and South Korea.
Estonia ready to take over the reins. The Assembly also provided an opportunity for participants to praise the work carried out by the Maltese Presidency of the EU (agreement on 700 MHz frequency and the scrapping of roaming charges, to mention just a few things). Estonia and Bulgaria are the next two forthcoming rotating presidencies and also highlighted their priorities. Estonia said that it would be organising around 50 digital policy related events. Estonian Minister for Economic Affairs Siim Sikkut said: “We will obviously be working on legislative dossiers but we will also use this six month period to begin or recommence the debate on digital development on a broader basis”. He explained that his country would particularly make its expertise on online governance available and would encourage the lifting of any barriers to the free movement of data. He stated: “This must be the fifth fundamental freedom” and indicated that he also wanted as broad a debate as possible (particularly on data access and reuse). Bulgarian Minister for Transport, Information Technology and Communication Ivaylo Moskovski offered support for this approach and indicated that Bulgaria would lay emphasis on cyber security. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)