Commission and standardization organizations discuss role
Mr. Martin Bangemann, European Commissioner for industry and telecommunications, met with the heads of the European standardization organizations, in Brussels, on 6 February 1997. The meeting was attended by the Presidents of CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). The aim of the meeting was to discuss the continuing role that standards can play in Europe and worldwide, to promote European competitiveness, to abolish barriers to trade and to contribute to the development of the Information Society. Mr. Bangemann acknowledged the contribution of standards, and the standards organizations, to the development of the Single Market and in dismantling trade barriers. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to work together, and to respond to all challenges arising from market needs and from the development of EU policies. In the information and communications industry, where fast technological evolution requires a rapid and coordinated response, Mr. Bangemann expressed confidence that the organizations would master these new challenges with the same success as they demonstrated in mastering the internal market programme.