European Economic and Social Committee

PRESS RELEASE No 013/2007 / 15 February 2007

European Economic and Social Committee

EESC Plenary Highlights

-Viviane Reding calls for key role for EESC in information society

-German Minister Michael Glos calls for EESC and Presidency to work together

In today's EESC Plenary Session, Commissioner Viviane Reding stressed the major responsibility of the EESC in the assessment of the EU Information Society policy with respect to its social and economic implications. The Commissioner reacted on two opinions on a secure information society and electronic communication networks and services. German Minister Michael Glos, who spoke to the Committee on behalf of the German EU presidency, called for closer cooperation if Europe is to succeed.

EESC President Dimitris Dimitriadis welcomed Commissioner Reding, responsible for Information Society and Media, by saying that "I strongly believe that the social responsibility must be the top priority ingredient of our Information society and Media''. Ms Reding welcomed the opinion of the EESC on the 'Review of the EU Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications Networks and Services', (Rapporteur: Thomas McDonogh, Employers' Group, Ireland).

Commissioner Reding stated: "In order to foster growth and jobs in Europe, developing the information society within the internal market is one of the key challenges for Europe. The review of the regulatory framework aims at modernising EU rules in order to create an environment that is conducive to innovation and investment". She indicated that two main objectives are essential for the future: firstly, changing the framework in spectrum management in order to use it more efficiently and get most of it economically, secondly, a more consistent application of EU telecoms rules across the EU.

Commissioner Reding also welcomed the opinion of the EESC on a "Strategy for a Secure Information Society" (Rapporteur: Antonello Pezzini, Employers' Group, Italy). She underlined the need for coordinated efforts with civil society to upgrade the security of the information network. The Commissioner stressed the need for "a structured process of consultation and dialogue, a new form of partnership that would engage the public and the private sectors, including SMEs, and an enhanced role for consumers through empowerment".

Mr McDonogh underlined that, as a general principle of regulation, the public interest –the "public good"– should have primacy over private and business interests. He said "a strong regulatory framework is needed to promote the interests of the greater number of citizens, as intended by the Lisbon strategy".

Mr McDonogh indicated that Europe should move as quickly as possible towards a reinforced market-based approach to spectrum management, with more empowerment of market players and the introduction of more widespread spectrum trading, and with less national bureaucratic prescription on bandwidth allocation. Therefore a European Spectrum Agency should be established to create a coherent and integrated regime for pan-European spectrum management. He finally regretted that "broadband is more available in New York and Singapore than in some parts of Europe"

In the debate with Commissioner Reding, several EESC members underlined that security in the information society is a fundamental issue in terms of ensuring reliable communication networks and services inspiring confidence, which are key factors in economic and social development.

Viviane Reding outlined the main priorities of her work programme for 2007. Responding to criticisms of some EESC members about the lack of social dimension of her past and current initiatives, she reacted by saying that "it is wrong to state that the Commission does not care about European consumers. The roaming and TV without frontiers proposals gave recent evidence about the Commission's preoccupation about practical issues such as the high cost of phone calls from abroad or product placements in TV programmes".

The Commissioner indicated her wish to further the cooperation with the EESC through a request for two exploratory opinions in the field of e-inclusion and ageing.

German Minister Glos: EESC is an important mediator

In his intervention on 15 February 2007, on behalf of the German Presidency, MrGlos, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Technology, analysed the challenges and the priorities of the German Presidency. Energy, climate change, environmental protection and the European Constitution score high in the German Agenda. Mr Glos, who said that "Europe can succeed if we all work together", called the EESC an "important mediator" and highlighted growth and competitiveness as key elements for the future of Europe.

He declared the will of the German Presidency to contribute to the human face of employment, acknowledging a "positive impact between employment and social policy". During the debate that followed, Mr Glos identified R&D and education as major prospects for future development and he stated that "Europe has a role to play in a changing world for the benefit of the workers".

For more details, please contact:
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The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has 344 members, who are appointed by the Council of Ministers.