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Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 6 December 2022
Main results
Artificial intelligence Act
The Council agreed a negotiating mandate (‘general approach’) on the proposal for a regulation on the harmonised rules on artificial intelligence, the so-called Artificial Intelligence Act.
The draft regulation is a key element in the EU’s digital transformation and policy to foster the development and uptake, at European level, of trustworthy, safe, and lawful artificial intelligence (AI) that respects fundamental rights.
The proposal lays down a uniform, horizontal legal framework for AI which aims to ensure that AI systems placed on the EU market and used in the European Union, including by non-EU providers, respect Union values and existing laws on fundamental rights. It also aims to ensure legal certainty to facilitate investment and innovation in AI and enhance governance and effective enforcement of existing law on fundamental rights and safety requirements applicable to AI systems.
Artificial Intelligence is of paramount importance for our future. Today, we managed to achieve a delicate balance which will boost innovation and uptake of artificial intelligence technology across Europe. With all the benefits it presents, on the one hand, and full respect of the fundamental rights of our citizens, on the other.Ivan Bartoš, Czech Deputy Prime Minister for digitalisation and minister of regional development
During the debate, ministers expressed unanimous support for the objectives and approach of the presidency’s proposal, as a balanced compromise which took into account key concerns of the member states whilst preserving the delicate balance between the protection of fundamental rights and the promotion of the uptake of AI technology.
Ministers highlighted that this is a very innovative and important file, with the potential to foster the development and uptake of safe and lawful AI across the single market by both private and public actors. Ministers also concurred that, as the first legislative proposal of its kind in the world, it could set a global standard for AI regulation in other jurisdictions, and, in this way, it could promote the European approach to tech regulation on the world stage.
The adoption of the general approach will allow the Council to enter negotiations with the European Parliament (“trilogues”) once the latter adopts its own position with a view to reaching an agreement on the proposed regulation.Council's general approach
Commission proposal for a Regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending certain Union legislative acts
A European approach to artificial intelligence (European Commission information)
A digital future for Europe (background information)
Watch the recording of the ministers’ discussion
Framework for a European digital identity (eID)
The Council agreed a negotiating mandate (‘general approach’) on the proposal for a regulation on a European digital identity (eID) framework. As another key part of the EU's digital transformation, the proposed new framework will amend the 2014 regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS regulation), which had laid the foundations for a system for safely accessing services and carrying out transactions online and across borders in the EU.
Digital technologies can make our life so easy. I am convinced that a European digital identity wallet is indispensable for our citizens and businesses. We are looking at a massive advancement in how people use their identity and credentials in everyday contact with both public and private entities, and in how they use digital services. All while firmly keeping control over their data.Ivan Bartos, Czech Deputy Prime minister for digitalisation and minister of regional development
The revised regulation aims to ensure universal access for people and businesses to secure and trustworthy electronic identification and authentication by means of a personal digital wallet on a mobile phone (European digital identity wallet). This wallet should be recognised by the EU public sector, by private service providers requiring strong user authentication and by large online platforms. The proposal also creates a legal framework for the exchange of identification attributes and information linked to identity. It provides for user control and data protection and the targeted sharing of identity data limited to the needs of the specific service requested.
During the debate, ministers expressed unanimous support for the objectives and approach of the presidency’s proposal, as a balanced compromise which took into account key concerns of the member states whilst preserving the delicate balance between the need for secure transactions and the possibility for citizens to keep control over their own data.
Ministers emphasised that digital technologies could make life much easier and that a personal identity wallet would be indispensable for citizens and businesses across Europe. Underlining the massive advancement in how people use their identity and credentials in everyday contact with both public and private entities, and in how they employ digital services, ministers concurred on the key importance of the specific file for the EU’s digital transformation.
The adoption of the general approach will allow the Council to enter negotiations with the European Parliament (“trilogues”) once the latter adopts its own position with a view to reaching an agreement on the proposed regulation.Council's general approach
Commission proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework for a European Digital Identity
Digital Identity for all Europeans (European Commission information)
A digital future for Europe (background information)
A secure digital identity for everyone (feature story)
Watch the recording of the ministers’ discussion
Data Act
The Council was informed of progress on the proposal for a Regulation on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data.
The main objectives of the proposal is to ensure fairness in the allocation of value from data among actors in the data economy and to foster access to and use of data. It is a horizontal piece of legislation which should soon be supplemented by complementary legislation for specific sectors. This legislative proposal is therefore an important step in the development of the European data economy.
Ministers supported the main objectives of the proposal and took note of the progress report. Based on the considerable progress on this proposal achieved under the Czech presidency, work in the Council will continue under the Swedish presidency.Commission proposal for a Regulation on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data
A digital future for Europe (background information)
Watch the recording of the ministers’ discussion
Cyber Resilience Act
The Council took stock of progress on the proposal for a regulation on horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements (Cyber Resilience Act).
The main objective of this proposal is to set up horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements sold on the Union internal market. The proposal represents a significant improvement in ensuring a better cybersecurity of both hardware and software products throughout the whole supply chain and throughout their whole lifecycle.
Ministers supported the main objectives of the proposal and took note of the progress report. Based on progress achieved under the Czech presidency, work in the Council will continue under the Swedish presidency.Commission proposal for a Regulation on horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements
International digital engagement
In an informal working lunch, ministers discussed the international digital engagement.
Acknowledging the need to strengthen EU’s strategic cooperation with third countries in the field of new and emerging technologies in the digital sector, ministers discussed the regions or categories of third countries on which the EU should focus in order to increase its open strategic autonomy. Such initiatives could include, for example, an enhanced cooperation with the US, the Indo-Pacific region, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.Europe’s Digital Decade: digital targets for 2030 (European Commission website)
A digital future for Europe (background information)
Digital skills for the digital decade
The Council held a policy debate on the digital skills for the digital decade based on a steering note submitted by the presidency. The Ukrainian deputy minister of digital transformation, Valeriya Ionan, joined the debate via videoconference.
Ministers concurred that if the EU wants to ensure that the whole society benefits from digital transformation, it is critical that no one is left behind without the right digital skills. They recalled that, at EU level, several important measures and initiatives have been taken, including setting common EU ambitious targets regarding digital skills in the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 “Path to the Digital Decade”, which was negotiated and adopted during the Czech Presidency. However, ministers acknowledged that more work needs to be done in this respect.
Given the crucial importance of basic skills within the working population and the need to step up EU’s efforts to ensure necessary skills are available to enable a smooth digital transformation, ministers discussed additional upskilling actions that could be envisaged, with a particular focus on upskilling measures which could be especially useful for SMEs.
Ministers also explored possible ways to join forces to build on best practices and good experiences identified in member states and boost the number of ICT specialists and the number of sector specialists possessing advanced digital skills. Furthermore, Ministers exchanged views on actions that could be envisaged to help key industrial ecosystems and, in particular, SMEs to attract digital talent across Europe.Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Digital Decade Programme 2030
Watch the recording of the ministers’ discussion
Other business
Under ‘any other business’ and in the presence of the Ukrainian deputy minister of Digital Transformation, Valeriya Ionan, the Commission informed ministers about the EU’s technical support to Ukraine in the field of telecommunications.
The Commission provided an update on the extension of free or discounted roaming to Ukrainian refugees staying in the EU and on the coordination of the deliveries of telecoms/digital equipment to Ukraine. The latest initiative (“Laptops4Ukraine”) was launched on 1 December aiming to collect and deliver laptops, smartphones and tablets and respond to the fundamental needs of schools, hospitals, and public administrations in Ukraine’s most affected war regions.
Furthermore, the presidency briefed ministers on the state of play of current legislative proposals and one non-legislative initiative.
Regarding the regulation on privacy and electronic communications (ePrivacy), the presidency informed ministers about the state of play in the Council and the ongoing negotiations with the European Parliament on this file.Commission proposal for a Regulation concerning the respect for private life and the protection of personal data in electronic communications
The presidency also informed ministers about the recent agreement on the European declaration on digital rights and principles for the digital decade, which is expected be signed at the European Council of 15 December.
Moreover, the Commission informed ministers about the state of play on international initiatives in the digital fields, with a focus on the Trade and Technology Councils and digital partnerships.-
In addition, the presidency informed ministers about the outcomes of the virtual high-level expert meeting on the governance and enforcement of Union rules in the digital sphere (17 October 2022) and the Conference on “EU Secure and Innovative Digital Future” held in Prague on 3-4 November 2022.
Finally, the incoming Swedish presidency presented its work programme for the first half of 2023.Watch the recording of the ministers’ discussion
Meeting information
Meeting n°3917-1
Brussels
6 December 2022
08:00
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
List of A items, non-legislative activities
Background brief
Outcome documentsList of participants
