Brussels, 29/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 29 April, the Czech Presidency and the European Parliament's industry committee ratified a comprehensive compromise on reform of the “telecoms package”, which has hitherto been blocked by a dispute on amendment 138 (EUROPE 9887). The Council of Ministers and the Parliament are expected to formally present the compromise during the next parliamentary plenary session (6 May) and at the next meeting of telecom ministers on 12 June. The European Commission is in charge of organising a public consultation as soon as possible on the internet and fundamental rights question.
The compromise finally obtained includes both the determination of parliamentarians to guarantee a certain number of fundamental rights in the management of internet access such as freedom of expression, the respect for private life and the “right to a decision by an independent and impartial court”, and the demand from member states, including France, not to have to obtain a preliminary legal decision for disconnecting internet users. The new French law against piracy (Hadopi law) includes this provision. In practice, this compromise text allows France to disconnect internet users without having to wait for a court decision, but disconnection must then be confirmed by an independent and impartial tribunal. The Czech Presidency believed that this was a “balanced compromise”. It stated that it had “brought member states to an agreement with the Parliament and now it's up to the Parliament to confirm the agreement in plenary next week”. (I.L./transl.rh)