Ministers discuss abolishment of roaming in EU

On Friday, June 12, the Ministers from EU Member States discussed the telecommunications issues during the meeting of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council chaired by Latvian Minister for Transport Anrijs Matīss.

Telecommunications single market

The Presidency briefed ministers on the state of play on the proposals for a telecommunications single market (roaming and net neutrality) currently being negotiated with the European Parliament. The telecommunications single market proposal was also discussed by ministers at an informal breakfast meeting hosted by Anrijs Matīss, the Latvian Minister for Transport, together with Commissioner Günther Oettinger i.

"Developing a truly digital Europe has been one of the top priorities of the Latvian Presidency", said Minister Matīss, who chaired the meeting. "The longer it takes to agree on roaming and open internet rules, the more distant the prospect of creating a genuine digital single market. Many member states today underlined the importance of making every effort to reach agreement with the European Parliament as soon as possible, but not at any price."

Network and information security

The Presidency also informed ministers of progress on the proposal on network and information security, which is being negotiated with the European Parliament.

Digital services interoperability programme ISA²

The Council adopted a general approach on a programme on interoperability solutions for European public administrations, citizens and businesses (ISA²). The programme will support electronic interaction across sectors and borders. It is set to run from 2016 to 2020.

Conclusions on the transfer of IANA functions

The Council adopted conclusions on the transfer of the stewardship of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions to the multi-stakeholder community. The upcoming transfer is one of the most important Internet governance related processes this year.

Digital single market strategy

Ministers expressed their views on the digital single market strategy adopted by the Commission in May. The presidency will sum up the main messages from the debate for the June European Council.

Web accessibility

The Council looked at progress on a proposal to make public sector websites more accessible. Some more work is needed especially on the scope of the new rules.

Press conference following the meeting