Spanish Presidency fully behind eEurope 2005
As the EU's telecommunications and information society ministers hold an informal meeting in Vitoria, Spain, the Spanish Minister for science and technology, Anna Birulés, has reiterated the Spanish Presidency's objectives of completing the eEurope action plan and intensifying relations in this area with Latin American countries. At the informal meeting, Ministers are examining the results of the eEurope 2002 action plan approved two years ago at the Lisbon Council. The Spanish Presidency is backing eEurope 2005 'to give fresh impetus to the development of the information society in Europe and incorporate the improvements which have become apparent with the experience gained over the last two years,' said Ms Birulés. The Minister highlighted key actions for the Spanish Presidency in this field: - to adopt the requisite measures and formulate the plans needed to complete the 'eEurope, an information society for all' initiative to connect the network and user in the digital era as quickly as possible for all European citizens; - rapid implementation of the Spanish government's programmes and actions, and the measures Spain will be taking as part of the EU's initiatives based on the EU action plan; - to continue to play a leading role in the Community's eEurope initiative. Spain also plans to 'broaden the political dialogue and institutional relations between the European Union and Latin America with a view to intensifying [...] relations in the cultural and educational fields within the framework of the information society,' said Ms Birulés. EU and Latin American ministers for telecommunications and the information society will meet along with representatives from the European Commission, industry and civil society in Seville, Spain on 27 April. The debate will focus on the two regions' strategies to promote the information society, recent changes in the regulation of the sector and electronic administration. The results of the meting will be submitted to the summit of Heads of State and Government of the EU and Latin America, to take place in Madrid on 16 and 17 May 2002.
Countries
Spain