On Friday 26 May, the future Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU sent Member States a note setting out the priorities of its term of office. From the start of his mandate on 1 July, the focus will be on the thorny issue of artificial intelligence (AI) (see EUROPE 13190/36).
“Spain will make its best effort in the negotiations on the Regulation on AI with the European Parliament, ensuring that it does not undermine innovation but at the same time protects fundamental rights of individuals”, stated the future Presidency of the Council of the EU.
As part of this work, the future Presidency will use the national ‘regulatory sandboxes’ it has set up to provide preliminary results on AI. These results are expected to be presented at the European Assembly of the AI Alliance, which will take place on 16 and 17 November in Madrid.
In addition to the hot topic of AI, the future Presidency of the Council has also set itself the goal of reaching a general approach on the Cyber Resilience Act (see EUROPE 13186/9). Negotiations with the European Parliament, she adds, could begin under her mandate.
The future Presidency also intends to reach a common position among the Member States on the Cybersolidarity Act by the end of its term of office. Unveiled on 18 April, the Commission’s proposal is designed to detect, anticipate and counter cyber attacks and other threats, in particular by setting up a European ‘cyber shield’ (see EUROPE 13164/1).
On 18 April, the European Commission also proposed a targeted amendment to the cybersecurity regulation, with the aim of enabling the adoption of future European certification schemes for highly critical services. On this point too, the future Spanish Presidency will attempt to reach a general approach with a view to launching inter-institutional negotiations.
Ideas for boosting technological entrepreneurship
Still on the subject of negotiations with the European Parliament, “the Spanish Presidency will endeavour to conclude the trilogues on legislation for an interoperable Europe”, says the document. Adopted by the Commission on 21 November last, this legislative proposal is designed in particular to establish a framework for cooperation between the public administrations of EU Member States in order to facilitate the secure cross-border exchange of data (see EUROPE 13067/12).
The future Presidency will focus on discussions concerning the conditions for the creation and growth of technology start-ups within the EU. “Efforts will focus on proposing a coordinated and harmonised approach at EU level to technological entrepreneurship, avoiding internal competition and positioning the EU as a reference hub”, adds the document.
Finally, Spain has announced that it will initiate discussions on a new regulatory policy for electronic communications within the EU, to promote “the strategic nature” of the sector, “maintain its dynamism, strong competitiveness and innovation, while at the same time ensuring technical and financial sustainability as well as the fulfilment of the objectives of the Digital Decade”.
An informal meeting of Telecommunications Ministers will be held on 23 and 24 October in León.
To see the document: https://aeur.eu/f/766 (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)