12 April 2024
The Belgian Minister for Telecommunications and the State Secretary for Digitalisation together with their 26 EU colleagues, two observing countries, and the EU Commissioner for Digitalisation after the debate sessions in the Aula Magna. © Belgian presidency
The Informal Telecommunications Council focused on two major goals around Europe’s digital revolution. Firstly, to improve cyber security and infrastructure security. Secondly, to have a single European market that is harmonised, competitive and sustainable. In the Louvain-la-Neuve Declaration, for the first time, the 27 also joined forces around a common intention to equip themselves with tools that protect citizens online while guaranteeing their freedom of expression.
The EU Telecommunications Ministers want Europe to take control of its digital connection infrastructure. This sovereignty enables Europe and its citizens to be more resilient in the face of possible cyberattacks and technical incidents affecting critical communications infrastructures.
The Telecommunications ministers discussed security and strategic interests. Digitisation brings with it opportunities and possibilities, but at the same time, cyberattacks are just some of the threats that a digital society must take into account. Against a backdrop of international turmoil, the ministers recognised that our critical infrastructures must remain primarily in European hands.
The proliferation of fake profiles can also represent a major threat to online democracy. The Louvain-la-Neuve Declaration entrusts the European Commission with creating optional tools in the form of standardised signage that will enable both users and platforms to be informed or to provide information about the veracity of the profiles with which we interact in the digital world. Member States, through their Telecoms Ministers, are asserting their determination to protect their citizens, especially young people, from harmful online content.
The security, sustainability and competitiveness of a digital single market were the main topics of the other discussions between the European Telecommunications Ministers, who believe it is essential to ensure that all Europeans are connected, whether they live in rural or urban areas, and that consumer rights are strictly protected.
The member states also stressed the importance of a single European telecommunications market. Currently, each member state has its own rules governing telecommunications. Harmonising these rules at European level will pave the way for investment and innovation.
Europe’s Telecommunications Ministers agreed that the digital revolution must be sustainable. Digitisation can promote a sustainable society. In this respect, the Telecommunications Ministers affirmed that it is essential for the telecommunications market itself to move up a gear by aiming for energy efficiency and using renewable raw materials.
“The move towards a more unified telecommunications market in Europe, with regulation established at European level, is stimulating investment and innovation. I am delighted that we agree on this point, and that the importance of sustainability in the telecommunications sector has been recognised. I also applaud the open discussion in which Member States took stock of potential digital threats and agreed on the need for increased vigilance”, said Belgian Minister for Telecommunications and Co-Chair of the Telecommunications Council.
“False profiles are at the root of digital threats such as phishing, spreading false information and cyber-stalking. The Louvain-la-Neuve Declaration paves the way for more online democracy and greater protection for the most vulnerable, such as children. It gives Internet users and platforms the choice of differentiating between a fake profile and a verified, verifiable or anonymous one. It protects European citizens and encourages them to take responsibility for their consumption of digital content. I am proud that Belgium, through its presidency, has been able to unite the 27 members around this project, which is very close to my heart”, said Belgian Secretary of State for Digitisation and Co-Chair of the Telecommunications Council.
“We met today to discuss issues of crucial importance: the protection of vulnerable users online, the future of our telecommunications infrastructure, as well as economic security and industrial policy in the digital and connectivity fields. This fruitful discussion will help advance our mission to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and economic security in the digital and telecommunications sectors”, concluded European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Tourism, Digital Agenda, Audiovisual, Defence and Space.
Source – Belgian EU Presidency