In a discussion with MEPs from the Committee on Industry (ITRE) on Wednesday 29 January, Poland’s Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, Dariusz Standerski, set out Poland’s main priorities for the remainder of his term at the helm of the EU Council.
Two major ideas will guide Poland’s work over the next five months. Firstly, the “strengthening of European cybersecurity”, with high expectations for the results of recent regulations (such as NIS2 and the Cyber Solidarity Act), the introduction of joint investment at European level and better funding for the European Cybersecurity Agency.
Secondly, the provision of “massive support” for the development of AI and new technologies in Europe, with a focus on the role of SMEs, the need for massive investment and the importance of having a clear, common strategy for AI, cloud services and telecommunications.
Several MEPs, such as Damian Boeselager (Greens/EFA, German), called for “concrete action” to guarantee “European technological independence” in the face of clear dependencies in the area of cloud services, for example.
Others focused on current affairs, asking questions about the “integrity of European elections” following the controversy in Romania, and whether the EU can really attract the investment it needs.
The Polish minister felt that Europe’s salvation would come from its ability to deregulate and ensure a common strategy. “It’s not too late to jump on the bandwagon, but we need to act very quickly”, he said.
For the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, the urgent need at this stage is to provide the Union with a common strategy in the key areas of AI and new technologies, and to open the door to the investment that is absolutely essential to avoid falling behind.
“Conclusions” and a “state of play” on the various pieces of legislation relating to cybersecurity are scheduled for March, at the next meeting of the European telecommunications ministers. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)