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).
(2) On-line public services
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.
(3) A secure information structure
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.
(4) Broadband
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.
