eEurope 

The eEurope initiative

The eEurope initiative, launched in 1999 aims to get everyone in Europe ? every citizen, every school, every company ? on-line as quickly as possible. The eEurope initiative builds on the current policy framework, concentrating on priority actions to overcome handicaps in Europe that are holding back the rapid uptake of digital technologies. 

eEurope 2005

On 28 May, 2002 the Commission presented an eEurope 2005 Action Plan, as a follow up to the 2002 Action Plan. At the Seville Council (21 June, 2002) the Council endorsed the objectives of the Commission's Action Plan for eEurope 2005 as "an important contribution to the EU's efforts towards a competitive, knowledge-based economy, calling upon all institutions to ensure that it will be fully implemented by the end of 2005".  

The eEurope 2005 action plan states that by 2005 Europe should have modern online public services, e-government services, e-learning services, e-health services, a dynamic e-business environment and, as an enabler for these, widespread availability of broadband access at competitive prices and a secure information infrastructure.

To achieve these objectives, the 2005 Action Plan comprises four separate but interlinked sets of action:

(1) A dynamic e-business environment:

• The Commission in cooperation with Member States will review and adapt legislation at EU and national level, starting in 2003 with an e-business Summit

By the end of 2003:

• The private sector is called upon to develop interoperable solutions for transactions, security, signatures, procurement and payments;

• The Commission will examine the possibilities of setting up a European on-line dispute resolution system and further work with stakeholders on creating consumer confidence;

• The Commission will examine how European companies could be provided with additional functionality relating to the .eu domain name (e.g. trusted cyber identity, trust marks and an authentication scheme).

• Member States are to ensure that by 2005 all public services (administrations, schools, universities, museums and libraries etc.) have broadband Internet access;

• By end 2003, the Commission will issue an interoperability framework based on open standards to support the delivery of e-government services to citizens and enterprises.

• A ?Cyber security task force?, constituted by Member states and the private sector, should be operational by mid 2003. This task force will work as a centre of competence on security issues and develop a concept for a European computer attack alert system and facilitate transborder co-operation in the field of information and network security;

• Development of a ?culture of security? though good practices and standards by end 2005;

• The Commission and Member states will examine the possibilities to establish a secure communications environment for the exchange of government information by end 2003.

• Analysis and support for development of broadband deployment and Ipv6;

• The Commission will ensure spectrum availability and efficient spectrum use for by wireless broadband services ad cooperate with Member States with the regard to the introduction of such services.

The Copenhagen Summit in December 2002 should adopt the eEurope Benchmarking Report. The vast majority of the actions in the eEurope 2002 Action Plan should be realised by the end of 2005. The Commission will present in good time for the spring European Council in 2004 a mid-term review to evaluate progress and, if necessary, make proposals to adapt the Action Plan.

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