EU countries consider that measures should be adopted to meet the target of 100% coverage of basic broadband to all citizens by 2013 and promote wide take-up of high speed broadband by 2020. The need of digital public services that promote the reuse of public sector information, increase the efficiency of government and reduce administrative burdens on citizens and businesses. Competitiveness of Europe’s ICT sector must be strengthened through further research, development and innovation by means of better adapted programmes for sector firms, SMEs in particular

Ministers responsible for Telecommunications and Information Society in countries belonging to the European Union (EU), under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Miguel Sebastián, have adopted  the Granada Declaration for the Digital Agenda in their meeting in the city of Andalusia. This meeting represents the Information Society highpoint for the Spanish Presidency.

The Granada Strategy is based on eight central themes: infrastructures, advanced use of the internet and trust; user rights; Digital Single Market; digital Public Services; strengthening the competitiveness of Europe’s ICT sector; International Dimension of the Digital Agenda and Benchmarking Information Society

The meeting has been made possible thanks to an ISDN videoconference system, since a great number of Delegations have been unable to attend the meeting personally as a result of Europe’s air traffic problems caused by the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Public Digital Services

Member countries agree that there is a need for the development of new and improved digital public services, to reactivate demand and emphasize the advantages of digital economy and transparent government. Such public services must promote the reuse of information in the public sector, increase the efficiency of government and lead to a measurable reduction in administrative burdens on citizens and businesses as well as contributing to a low-carbon economy.

Within this scope, the implementation of e-Government strategies is required at an organisational, legal and technical level, including e-ID and e-signatures.

Since economic recovery is one of the European Union’s main challenges as well as other world regions’ increasing competitiveness, it must deeply consider ICT as a crucial factor for economic growth, employment, sustainability and social integration.

The Declaration, promoted by the European Commission during the Spanish Presidency’s semester, will be one of the milestones of the new Digital Strategy and will contribute to the consolidation of Europe’s technological leadership within this strategic sector, whose effects must reach citizens, businesses and Civil Services. The Granada Ministerial Declaration includes the core necessary elements to obtain a veritable innovating, sustainable and inclusive digital society and economy. The full text can be accessed in the website of the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade.