COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest

 

Meetings Friday 2 December 2022

● Council of the EU   02/12/2022 10:29 | MEETING | Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 6 December 2022   Background brief - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 06/12/2022 Council of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 6 December 2022 Agenda highlights Telecommunications ministers are expected to adopt general approaches on two key legislative files for the EU’s digital transformation: the regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act) the revised regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS) Artificial intelligence The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act is a proposal aiming to implement the development of an ecosystem of trust by proposing a legal framework for trustworthy AI within the EU. The proposal is based on EU values and fundamental rights and aims to give people and other users the confidence to embrace AI-based solutions, while encouraging businesses to develop them. AI should be a tool for people and be a force for good in society with the ultimate aim of increasing human well-being. Rules for AI available in the Union market or otherwise affecting people in the Union should therefore be human centric, so that people can trust that the technology is used in a way that is safe and compliant with the law, including the respect of fundamental rights. eID The revised regulation on electronic identification offers a European digital identity framework based on the revision of the current one, at least 80% of citizens should be able to use a digital ID solution to access key public services by 2030. Furthermore, the security and control offered by the European digital identity framework should give citizens and residents full confidence that the European Digital Identity framework will offer everyone the means to control who has access to their digital twin and to which data exactly. Other matters Ministers will also take note of progress reports on two pending legislative files:harmonised rules on fair access to and the use of data (Data Act) horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements (Cyber Resilience Act) Regulating data access and use is a fundamental prerequisite for seizing the opportunities presented by the digital age we live in. The European strategy for data, adopted in February 2020, aims at building a genuine single market for data and at making Europe a global leader in the data-agile economy. The Data Act is a key pillar of this strategy as it contributes to the creation of a cross-sectoral governance framework for data access and use by legislating on matters that affect relations between data economy actors, in order to provide incentives for horizontal data sharing across sectors. The Cyber Resilience Act aims to ensure a better cybersecurity of both hardware and software products throughout the whole supply chain and throughout their whole lifecycle.How the EU responds to crises and builds resilience (background information) In the presence of the Ukrainian deputy minister of digital transformation, ministers will hold a policy debate on the digital skills for the digital decade. Given the crucial importance of basic digital skills within the working population, ministers will discuss what additional upskilling actions could be envisaged with a particular focus on upskilling measures which could be especially useful for SMEs. Ministers will also explore possibilities to join forces building on best practices and good experiences identified in member states with a view to boosting the number of ICT specialists and sector specialists possessing advanced digital skills. Ministers will be finally invited to discuss actions that could be envisaged to help key industrial ecosystems and, in particular, SMEs to attract digital talent.A digital future for Europe (background information) In an informal lunch, ministers will discuss the topic of international digital engagement. In the afternoon session and in the presence of the Ukrainian deputy minister of digital transformation, the Commission will update ministers about the support that is being provided to Ukraine in the area of telecommunications. The presidency will update ministers on the state of play of the regulation concerning the respect for private life and the protection of personal data in electronic communications (e-privacy), as well as of the European declaration on digital rights and principles for the digital decade. The presidency will also inform ministers on the outcome of the virtual high-level expert meeting on the governance and enforcement of Union rules in the digital sphere held on 17 October 2022, as well as of the conference on “EU Secure and Innovative Digital Future” held in Prague on 3-4 November 2022. The Commission will brief ministers on the state of play on international initiatives in the digital field with a focus on Trade and Technology Councils and digital partnerships. Finally, the Swedish delegation will inform ministers on the working programme of the upcoming presidency during the first semester 2023. Meeting information Meeting n°3917-1 Brussels 6 December 2022 Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda Background brief

Press material Friday 2 December 2022

● Council of the EU   02/12/2022 10:35 | Press release | Research infrastructures: Council adopts conclusions   The Council has adopted conclusions on research infrastructures (RIs), which are a cornerstone in the development of the European Research Area (ERA). The ERA aims to create a single EU market for research, innovation and technology. First launched in 2000, the ERA has helped to boost EU research and innovation by encouraging the free circulation of researchers and knowledge, and by aligning national research policies and programmes. "Be it a new software update on your phone or a new medicine, innovations have a positive impact on our lives. European research infrastructures provide the high-quality resources and services that our research communities need to develop these cutting-edge innovations that benefit society as a whole." Vladimír Balaš, Czech Minister for Education, Youth and Sport The network of pan-European RIs is one of the success stories of the development of the ERA: Europe has one of the most advanced and integrated RI systems in the world. RIs are top-class facilities that provide resources and services for research communities to conduct research and foster innovation. Examples of RI facilities are computer systems, archives or scientific data infrastructures, and sets of instruments. They provide knowledge-based solutions to societal challenges and help to deliver the EU’s green and digital transitions. RIs provide scientists and innovators with unique expertise, technical devices, data and services to perform cutting-edge basic and applied research, to boost technological advancement and breakthrough innovations. They also bring benefits to industries and SMEs. The Council conclusions recognise the need to further strengthen RIs and facilitate broader access to them, since they can greatly contribute to the competitiveness of the European economy.

Press material Friday 2 December 2022

● Council of the EU   02/12/2022 10:47 | Press release | New Innovation Agenda: Council adopts conclusions   The Council has adopted conclusions setting out an innovation policy to position the EU as a global leader. Innovation plays a crucial role in Europe’s competitiveness, in achieving the green and digital transitions, and in addressing societal challenges and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

Council of the EU
Press release
2 December 2022
10:45
New Innovation Agenda: Council adopts conclusions


The Council has adopted conclusions setting out an innovation policy to position the EU as a global leader. Innovation plays a crucial role in Europe’s competitiveness, in achieving the green and digital transitions, and in addressing societal challenges and ensuring the well-being of its citizens.



The recent crises have shown the need for the EU to support an open strategic autonomy in order to curb the dependencies and vulnerabilities that affect our industry. We have to strengthen the EU’s own capacity in strategic areas. This will not be possible without ambitious investments in innovation.Vladimír Balaš, Czech Minister for Education, Youth and Sport

The current geo-political context highlights the EU’s need to reassess its approach to investing in innovation. Innovation is a strategic stimulus for economic development in these challenging times defined by the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and considerations for a more circular, digitalised and resource-efficient economy.

The Council underlines the importance of adapting to the new wave of innovation and emphasises the need to boost synergies among existing funding programmes and initiatives. Access to finance should enable innovators, including deep tech startups, to take advantage of the single market and attract new institutional investors in order to strengthen financial and capital markets and commercialise and scale up deep tech companies.

The conclusions propose measures to improve the regulatory innovation environment, including a call for member states and the Commission, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, to develop a common policy agenda to advance the coordination of innovation policies.Council conclusions on the European Innovation Agenda
European Commission communication on a New European Innovation Agenda