Brussels, 12/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - In their debate about the European Union's network and information security policy, EU telecoms ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday 11 June 2009 said it was extremely important that general surveillance of national networks was introduced, working alongside moves by the member states. There has been a snowballing of security risks on networks, which are becoming crucial to the functioning of member states and their civil services. Czech Trade and Industry Minister Vladimir Tosovský said that information technology was very important for national economies and the functioning of member states and for that reason, an effective network security tool was needed. The EU27 agreed at the 12 June 2009 Telecoms Council to extend the network security mandate of ENISA, the European Network and Information Safety Agency until 2012 (see EUROPE 9682), and the question now arises about what work it should carry out in the future and whether it should be given more funding. After an initial exchange of views on Thursday under the Czech Presidency, Vladimir Tosovský said the Council had called for ENISA's mandate to be strengthened and for its budget to be increased. The Swedish Presidency will now take over the process of arranging talks on this issue with the aim of publishing a conclusions document. (I.L./transl.fl)