Preparing Europe’s future, building on a strong Digital Single Market: joint statement

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Preparing Europe’s future, building on a strong Digital Single Market: joint statement by Vice-Presidents Ansip and Dombrovskis, Commissioners Oettinger, Andriukaitis, Bieńkowska, Moedas and Gabriel following the Digital Day 2018

Press Release – Brussels, 10 April 2018

At Digital Day 2018, Ministers and representatives of Member States recalled their commitment to complete the Digital Single Market, and agreed to work together more in a series of key areas for Europe’s future: artificial intelligence, blockchain, ehealth and innovation.

European Commission Vice-Presidents Andrus Ansip and Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioners Günther H. Oettinger, Vytenis Andriukaitis, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Carlos Moedas and Mariya Gabriel, welcomed the results achieved today:

“Today’s commitments by Member States give a strong signal: we all understand that Europe’s future is digital and that the only way to fully reap the benefits of new technologies is by working together, joining forces and resources.

By pooling health data, using artificial intelligence and blockchain and promoting innovation, Europe can significantly improve people’s lives. Earlier and better diagnosis of diseases, safer roads – this is only a glimpse of what embracing digital change can look like.

We have made significant progress in building a Digital Single Market since the first Digital Day in Rome last year. People are starting to feel the benefits of tearing down digital borders: the end of roaming charges and unjustified geoblocking, portability of online content.

Stronger rules on the protection of personal data and the first EU-wide rules on cybersecurity will become a reality in May 2018. But we need to accelerate our efforts: key proposals, from the free flow of non-personal data to better connectivity, still need to be agreed by the European Parliament and Member States. They are essential for the development of technologies such as artificial intelligence. Europe also needs to invest more in digital, research and innovation.

We are creating a strong Digital Single Market – let’s build on this to make sure that Europe has a bright digital future.”

For more information:

Press release: Digital Day 2018: EU countries to commit to doing more together on the digital front

Opening speech by Vice-President Ansip, Digital Day 2018

Opening speech by Commissioner Gabriel, Digital Day 2018

Factsheet: A Digital Single Market for the benefits of all Europeans

Timeline: Digital Single Market – Commission actions since 2015

Declaration on Artificial intelligence

Declaration on eHealth

European Blockchain Partnership

Declaration on Innovation Radar online tool

Video Innovation Radar