Brussels, 19/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - The meeting of EU e-government ministers in Lisbon on 19-21 September will be focusing on electronic interoperability, the benefits of online administration, and citizen participation in public life by means of new technology. Electronic interoperability is crucial because it will enable citizens to use electronic communications (the internet) to carry out administrative tasks in other member state rather than having to actually travel to the country in question. In order for this to operate smoothly, it will require recognition of the electronic identity of individuals by all member states. The ministers will also discuss the reduction of administrative charges for businesses and citizens. For businesses, measures like the setting up of businesses online and the registration of brands and patents online, should allow the same criteria to be used in all countries in Europe, thereby making comparisons more reliable. The ministers will assess how electronic administration can improve the lives of citizens by speeding up administrative procedures while preserving the personal touch. The way in which information and communication technologies can encourage citizen involvement in public life at city or EU level is the third topic to be discussed and is one of the objectives the European Union hopes to achieve. (il)