The Council reached a general approach on the Single Digital Gateway proposal, which creates innovative and user friendly solution in case of cross-border public services in line with the goals of the Digital Single Market Strategy.
The Estonian Presidency has informed the Member States that as the result of the negotiations conducted with the European Parliament a first reading agreement may be reached on the geo-blocking regulation before the end of this year. The new legislation will ensure that customers can buy goods or have access to services offered in another Member State under same conditions.
The participants had an in-depth discussion on the future of European industry. Member states generally agreed that the Commission’s communication on a new industrial policy strategy, published in September, is a good first step into the right direction, however, it is still necessary to draw up a vision and set goals up to 2030 and beyond. More specifically, in the context of the future of car sector, ministers agreed that digitalisation is a great opportunity and a great challenge at the same time for European manufacturers and for the telecom and IT enterprises cooperating with them. State Secretary István Lepsényi underlined that Hungary was among the first movers in the deployment of electromobility, and the Vehicle Proving Ground near the city of Zalaegerszeg will be suitable – among others – for testing self driving and electric vehicles, too.
The Hungarian delegation brought to the attention of the Council its concerns regarding the draft implementing regulation on technical standards for the establishment and operation of a traceability system for tobacco products. In this respect State Secretary Kecsmár asked the Commission to monitor the situation closely and work on solutions in order to minimise negative impacts for small manufacturers.
Vice-President Andrus Ansip (European Commission) summarized the results achieved so far regarding the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. He underlined that eight legal acts have been agreed on by the Council and the European Parliament out of the 24 proposals put forward by the Commission, which bring tangible benefits for the European consumers, such as the abolition of roaming fees or the banning of unjustified geo-blocking in online markets.
Bulgarian minister Emil Karanikolov announced the programme of the Bulgarian Presidency for the first half of 2018, which will put special emphasis on economic growth and the enhanced competitiveness of the European Union.
