Blog: Europe goes digital: how to move forward in 2015 - Hoofdinhoud
The European Commission has set out its work agenda for next year, laying down some concrete markers about what we aim to achieve on the path towards 'digitising' Europe
This week, the European Commission presented its work agenda for 2015.
That might sound like internal bureaucratic procedure, especially to those outside Brussels. But for the #DigitalSingleMarket, it is a significant stepping-stone to the future.
It lays down concrete markers about what we aim to achieve in 2015 on the path towards 'digitising' Europe: creating a vibrant digital economy and society. And it shows what business and consumers - essentially everyone who uses the internet, in fact - can expect from us next year.
There are many policy areas involved in building a connected DSM. We have placed a firm focus on those areas where, by acting on a European rather than national basis, we can make a real and tangible difference to people's lives.
In light of the digital revolution, one of our top priorities in 2015 is to modernise EU copyright rules.
We want to make them fit and relevant for the Digital Single Market so that everyone - citizens and businesses - has online access to digital services, including between and across the EU's own borders. Europe's creative industries have a great capacity for generating growth and jobs, and stimulating innovation across the whole economy.
In 2015, we will also be looking at how to simplify consumer rules for online and digital purchases, how to stimulate more e-commerce - thinking in particular about small companies - enhance cyber-security and get digitalisation into the mainstream of European policy.
But it's not only about launching new initiatives.
We plan to conclude the ongoing negotiations on common EU data protection rules as soon as possible. The Commission will also keep pushing hard for an agreement between the EU institutions on the telecoms single market.
Connectivity is the rock on which the Digital Single Market is based: the essential building block.
In 2015, we will set out a long-term strategy for the years ahead.
It will identify the major challenges, the barriers to overcome, and our key objectives for the future. It will propose a programme of measures - legislative and non-legislative -grouped around main principles such as building trust, removing restrictions and ensuring access.
We will be listening and reflecting throughout. For example, later in February, there will be a conference in Brussels to gather more than 400 interested parties representing companies, organisations, and people from across the digital community.
The idea is to hear everyone's views on how to shape Europe's digital future.
Where do we want to go; what should we do to get there?
I will be there to explain the Commission's priorities and plans for moving ahead, as well as to listen, engage and reflect. Building a connected Digital Single Market is something we want to get right.
It can't be a quick fix. It has to be a long-lasting and well-reasoned basis for the future of Europe's digital economy. And it requires input from many of my fellow Commissioners, such as Günther Oettinger, Elżbieta Bieńkowska and Věra Jourová, to name a few.
In addition, European Commission experts will start a series of visits to each of the EU's 28 Member States to explain it locally on the ground. These 'ambassadors' will listen and learn from a wide range of people and organisations, raising awareness and involvement.
After all, we are building the Digital Single Market in the interests of all Europeans.
So we need to hear from everybody about what is needed, about what you need: your problems, demands, expectations as well as country-specific issues.
I am keen for the atmosphere of transparency and engagement to continue in the coming months. So I would like to hold another #AskAnsip twitter chat, which was an exciting experience back in October and also a very useful one. Not only did I pick up a lot of ideas from all the tweets that came in, but also got a clear feeling of the themes and issues that really matter to you.
Along with the twitter chat, we'll be inviting people to give their views online - so please get involved when this is launched.
I plan to post another blog early in the New Year. In the meantime, best wishes for the festive season!
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