Brussels, 21/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has asked the Council for permission to take part in negotiations on behalf of the EU on a draft UN Convention on the use of electronic communications in international contracts. The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) has been tasked with drawing up this convention, the objective of which is to create standard rules to facilitate the awarding of electronic contracts at international level. The finalisation and adoption of the Convention are included on the agenda of the 38th session of UNCITRAL, to take place in Vienna from 4 to 15 July 2005. The EU must ensure that the convention is compatible with directive 2000/31/EC on electronic commerce, which is vital to improve legal clarity and security for European businesses carrying out activities outside the Union.
Charlie McCreevy, the Commissioner responsible for the internal market, stated in a press release that "the possibility for Europe to speak with one powerful voice in the drafting of this convention will help to ensure that an electronic contract can be awarded with the minimum the difficulty".