Only businesses established in the European Union should be able to benefit from the programmes for a digital Europe after 2020, says Angelika Mlinar (Liberal, Austria) in her draft resolution published mid-July.
The European Parliament rapporteur is delighted with this brand-new, European-wide digital programme that should start on 1 January 2021. Mlinar fears, however, that the funds proposed by the European Commission, i.e. €9.2 billion over 7 years, will not be sufficient “given the overall level of ambition and the unforeseen challenges that lie ahead”. In her view, this amount should be considered as the “minimum amount needed for the digital Europe programme to be able to aspire to success”. She therefore recommends synergies between the programme and other EU funding in the next MMF, in the knowledge that “departitioning of funding will make it possible to improve the effectiveness and returns on investment”. She also suggests that work programmes be developed under the supervision of the Parliament.
In addition, and contrary to the European Commission, Mlinar considers that third countries should not have preferential access to the programme, even if they are members of the European Economic Area (EEA). In her view “cooperation with third countries does not seem appropriate in the specific context of this programme”. Finally, with regards the objective relating to artificial intelligence (one of the five objectives of the programme), Mlinar maintains that the projects selected should meet ethical requirements “as in other multiannual financial framework (MFF) cases, such as Horizon Europe and the European defence programme”.
Members of the committee on industry, research and energy (ITRE) have until 7 September to submit amendments to this draft report, after which the vote is scheduled for end November.
Context
On 6 June, the European Commission suggested setting in place a new programme for a digital Europe for 2021-2027, with a view to increasing the EU’s international competitiveness and to developing and strengthening Europe’s strategic digital capabilities (see EUROPE 12305). These key capabilities concern high performance computing, artificial intelligence, cyber-security and advanced digital skills as well as arrangements to ensure their broad use and accessibility throughout the economy and society, not only for businesses but also for the public sector.
At the European Parliament, many parliamentary committees are involved: the substance of the matter comes under the scope of the ITRE committee, with the association of the culture and education committee (CULT). The committees on budgets (BUDG), environment (ENVI), internal market (IMCO), transport (TRAN), legal affairs (JURI) and civil liberties (LIBE) plan to give an opinion. It should be noted that, apart from Angelika Mlinar, all the rapporteurs are either from the EPP or the S&D groups. For the draft report, see: https://bit.ly/2MlysGp. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)