Brussels, 08/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - Lucio Stanca, Italian Minister for Innovation and Technology, today issued a ministerial declaration on behalf of the Italian Presidency, proposing concrete measures to accelerate the move to eGovernment. The declaration was agreed by the 30 EU, EFTA and accession countries Ministers attending the second European conference on eGovernment at Cernobbio (see EUROPE 3 July p 16). Ministers were able to see for themselves the best of eGovernment practices already implemented in Europe and proposed concrete measures to be taken towards widespread deployment of eGovernment. During the ministerial meeting, Ministers specifically asked the Presidency to present their declaration to the next meeting of the Telecommunications Council.
Ministers recognised many advantages it can offer through increased productivity and efficiency within Public Administrations and explained how such technologies should cement the four freedoms of the single market, and help those citizens and enterprises from one EU Member State wanting to settle, work or trade in any other.
Ministers reaffirmed the importance of making eGovernment services open and accessible to all citizens, by providing these services through the most appropriate platforms, including PCs, interactive TV and improved front-office counter services of the administrations themselves. They called upon the Member States and the Commission to agree on a list of services for which trans-national interoperability is desirable, taking into account differences in culture and legal practices. They welcomed co-operation between Member States and the Commission in research for cross-border solutions for identifying individuals, and for maintaining the security and privacy of information compiled through eGovernment services.