Brussels, 01/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - Taking the view that the potential of new information and communication technologies (ICT) has not been completely exploited, the Swedish Presidency has stated, among its priorities for the telecommunications sector, that it hopes to make a contribution to the shaping of the future European common policy on the information society. New services aiming to promote a more environmentally sustainable society could be developed. ICT also open up new opportunities for innovation leading to increased competitiveness, the Swedish Presidency notes. It will also have the heavy responsibility of leading the work of the Council of ministers on the adoption of the revised regulatory framework on electronic communications ("telecoms package") and steering negotiations with the European Parliament, which refused at its plenary session to adopt the compromise as negotiated with the Czech Presidency (see EUROPE 9896). It hopes to see the package adopted in the autumn, although negotiations are likely to be tough, as the Council appears disinclined to give way over the adoption of amendment 138, as recently implied by the French Socialist Catherine Trautmann, who has been voted back into the European Parliament. Talks between the two institutions (Parliament and Council) will focus on the sole controversial amendment rather than a re-negotiation of the whole package, and will take six weeks. Three meetings are scheduled: 29 September, 10 November and 2 December. As regards the management of the frequency bands freed up by the move from analogue to digital broadcasting, Sweden will recommend greater consultation between the member states for a more coordinated management of the radio electric spectrum. "Citizens stand to draw major benefits from this", the Swedish Presidency stresses. (I.L./trans.fl)