Brussels, 6 December 2024
The Council approved conclusions on the EU’s cybersecurity agency (ENISA) and on the Commission’s White Paper titled ‘How to master EU’s future digital infrastructure?’ Ministers also held a policy debate on the targets and objectives of the digital decade policy programme 2030.
It was a successful meeting: we approved two sets of conclusions to further strengthen EU’s agency for cybersecurity and provide clear guidance about the EU’s future digital infrastructure needs. We also held a useful discussion on how to achieve our ambitious targets for this decade and will now to pass the baton to the Polish presidency to continue work in the digital field.
Zoltán Kovács. Hungarian minister of state for international communication and relations
EU Council conclusions on ENISA
The Council approved conclusions on the EU’s cybersecurity agency (ENISA). Ministers acknowledged ENISA’s key role in the European cybersecurity ecosystem in the aftermath of recent legislative initiatives, such as the cyber resilience act (CRA) or the revised network and information systems (NIS 2) directive, which have entrusted the agency with additional tasks. Ministers also acknowledged ENISA’s support to member states when it comes to policy development and implementation. They called, however, for further improvements and action, notably regarding the development of European cybersecurity certification schemes, as well as the establishment of a single reporting platform. Ministers also underlined ENISA’s important contribution in enhancing common situational awareness, as well as in developing a common response to large-scale cyber incidents or crises. Finally, ministers highlighted the importance of the agency’s cooperation with other actors in the cyber ecosystem, but also with international organisations and partners and with the private sector.
- Council conclusions on ENISA, 6 December 2024
- Cybersecurity: how the EU tackles cyber threats (background information)
EU Council conclusions on EU’s future digital infrastructure needs
The Council approved conclusions on the Commission’s White Paper titled ‘How to master EU’s digital infrastructure needs?’. Ministers conveyed a comprehensive set of messages on fostering innovation, ensuring security and resilience, promoting fair competition, and driving investments in digital infrastructures with a view to advancing the EU’s competitiveness and digital transformation goals. The text of the conclusions touches upon important questions, such as the need to thoroughly assess possible convergence of cloud and telecommunications in the digital ecosystem and market consolidation, where the need for effective competition in the relevant market was highlighted by a considerable number of ministers.Regulatory matters were also touched upon during the debate with some ministers underlining the importance of maintaining the possibility of ex-ante control on certain access markets, as well as of considering member states’ specificities, competition, and consumer welfare in the context of the migration from copper to fibre.
- Commission’s White Paper on ‘How to master EU’s digital infrastructure needs?’, Council conclusions, 6 December 2024
- White paper on ‘How to master EU’s digital infrastructure needs?’ (European Commission)
Policy debate on the digital decade policy programme 2030
At the initiative of the presidency, the Council held a policy debate titled ‘Digital decade 2030 objectives and targets in light of recent technological changes’. The discussion provided ministers an opportunity to discuss the program’s targets and objectives under the lens of recent developments in the technical, economic, and societal spheres, in view of its revision in 2026.
Exploring possible actions needed to achieve targets and objectives by the 2030 deadline, ministers discussed if the EU should recalibrate its digital decade targets in 2026 to reflect the rapid pace of recent technological developments, such as 6G, AI and the proliferation of cloud computing as an enabling technology. Ministers also exchanged views on how to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of technological innovation while maintaining realistic and achievable goals. To this end, ministers concurred that the EU should strengthen the link between research, innovation, and standardisation in emerging technologies. Furthermore, ministers reflected on how Europe can better position itself vis-à-vis global competitors in leading frontier technologies and in facilitating their uptake and assert its position in the global digital ecosystem. Finally, ministers explored ways for the EU to ensure that its digital infrastructure goals align with environmental sustainability objectives.
Any other business
The deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) briefed the Council about recent developments in the organisation and the Commission updated ministers on the ITU World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA), which took place on 15-24 October 2024 in New Delhi, India.
The presidency briefed ministers on the state of play regarding the Council of Europe framework convention on artificial intelligence, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law and provided an overview of activities and events on digital affairs organised in the second half of 2024.
The Commission presented the recently published study on the future of the postal sector and outlined recent international initiatives in the digital field with a focus on trade and technology councils and digital partnerships. It also elaborated on roaming with the EU candidate countries, with a special focus on Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkans region.
The French delegation informed ministers about preparations for the upcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) action summit due to be held in Paris on 10-11 February 2025. The Austrian delegation informed the Council about the country’s framework of reference for digital competence, whereas the Greek delegation presented its national strategy for protection of minors online.
The Dutch, Belgian, Estonian, Finnish, German, Greek, Irish, Slovak, and Swedish delegations raised the need for a better digital regulation for SMEs in Europe.
- AI Action Summit (Paris, 10-11 February 2025), Information by the French delegation, 26 November 2024
- Austrian framework of reference for digital competence, Information by the Austrian delegation, 19 November 2024
- Greek national strategy for protection of minors online, Information by the Greek delegation, 20 November 2024
- Better digital regulation for SMEs in the EU, Information by the Belgian, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, German, Greek, Irish, Slovak and Swedish delegations, 3 December 2024
Finally, the upcoming Polish presidency presented its priorities and work programme for the first half of 2025.
Informal lunch
Over an informal lunch and in the presence of ITU’s deputy Secretary-General, Tomas Lamanauskas, ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation with the ITU and strengthen the EU’s influence within the organisation. Ministers acknowledged that EU’s relationship with ITU is important not least because ITU manages radio spectrum at a global level, advances global telecommunications standards, and supports affordable connectivity in the developing countries. Some also underlined that ITU has an important role in facilitating digital standards that are inclusive, sustainable and respect human rights. Ministers concurred that member states and EU’s participation in the ITU activities needs to be assessed in light of emerging new digital technologies and the geopolitical dynamics that shape the future digital infrastructure and governance. In this context, ministers reflected on how to further enhance member states’ coordination in relation to the ITU, which particular areas should be considered for such a cooperation and what kind of resources and mechanisms are needed to achieve EU’s objectives.
Preparatory documents
Outcome documents
Press releases
Source – EU Council