Here is a round-up of my blog posts to date about EU radio spectrum policies, broadband deployment and the Digital Agenda for Europe, including the first entries concerning IT policies in Sweden, one of the most competitive information societies.
The first thematic Grahnlaw Suomi Finland blog post highlighted the Commission web pages on radio spectrum policy at European level – a useful source - and mentioned the proposed programme for strategic planning and harmonisation: EU radio spectrum policy programme (RSPP) (31 May 2011).
The Grahnblawg entry in Swedish 'EU: Sverige om radiofrekvenser och radiospektrumpolitik' (2 June 2011) offered a few viewpoints from the government of Sweden in relation with the meeting of the ministers responsible for telecommunications (TTE Council) 27 May 2011.
Also in Swedish, 'Radiospektrumpolitiken i EU:s telekområd den 27 maj 2011' (2 June 2011) on Grahnlaw Suomi Finland presented the conclusions of the TTE Council in English and offered a link to the Hungarian progress report in Swedish.
The Grahnlaw blog post 'EU Commission: Radio spectrum policy programme (RSPP) proposal' (3 June 2011) presented some general aims, as well as the provisions on the aim (Article 1) and the application and general regulatory principles (Article 2).
The Grahnlaw Suomi Finland blog entry 'EU radio spectrum policy aims (RSPP proposal)' (4 June 2011) offered a further presentation of the principal aims and policy objectives of the radio spectrum policy programme proposal.
Since radio spectrum is a finite resource, much in demand, the blog post on Eurooppaoikeus 'EU ja kilpailu radiotaajuuksista' (5 June 2011) highlighted the competition objectives of the Commission's RSPP proposal in Finnish.
Grahnlaw Suomi Finland continued the discussion in Finnish about the aims of the European Commission to accelerate the roll-out of high-speed (wireless) broadband in the European Union: EU: Radiotaajuudet ja langaton laajakaista (5 June 2011).
Grahnlaw guided to relevant RSPP sources, namely the English impact assessment and the summary of the IA, available in 22 official EU languages: EU radio spectrum impact assessment (6 June 2011).
Grahnlaw Suomi Finland presented the RSPP objectives, as stated in the summary of the impact assessment: Objectives and impact of EU radio spectrum proposal (7 June 2011).
Grahnblawg presented the RSPP impact assessment and summary in Swedish: Radiospektrumpolitiken i EU: Konsekvensanalysen (8 June 2011).
In Swedish, Grahnlaw Suomi Finland presented the initial response of the Swedish government to the RSPP proposal, cited the 2009 national Broadband strategy for Sweden and mentioned the recent progress reports: Bredband: Sverige om EU:s radiospektrumpolitik (9 June 2011).
Grahnlaw mentioned Sweden as an inspiring example for other EU member states with regard to both competitiveness and broadband roll-out. Without discarding the ongoing IT strategies for various issues, the Swedish government is working on an umbrella Digital agenda, modeled on the Digital Agenda for Europe: EU2020: Sweden from Broadband strategy to Digital agenda (10 June 2011).
***
Future blog posts will discuss the interplay between the EU institutions and some of the more competitive member states with regard to economic reform policies (Europe 2020 strategy), especially the Digital Agenda.
Ralf Grahn
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Friday, 10 June 2011
EU2020: Sweden from Broadband strategy to Digital agenda
If the European Union wants the Europe 2020 (EU 2020) growth strategy to counter the decline in competitiveness, one of the places to look is Sweden, which successfully combines economic progress and social inclusion.
One of the seven flagship initiatives of the EU2020 strategy is the Digital Agenda for Europe.
The first Digital Agenda Scoreboard SEC(2011) 708 and the country-specific data show that Sweden is one of the leading European countries with regard to broadband, Internet usage and eGovernment, as well as the adoption of EU legislation and progress on regulatory issues.
Broadband strategy
Previously, the Swedish government took strategic initiatives to support digitalisation in several key policy areas via an eGovernment action plan, a broadband strategy for Sweden and a national IT strategy for health care and social services.
For instance, in November 2009 the government of Sweden published a national strategy for broadband development, including an English version:
Broadband strategy for Sweden (Government Offices of Sweden, Ministry of Enterprise Energy and Communications; 36 pages)
The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency PTS has just reported on the follow-up of the government's broadband strategy, the roll-out of broadband infrastructure and the Swedish telecom market (links under Latest documents).
Digital agenda
Without discarding the ongoing strategies, in the footsteps of the EU Digital Agenda the Swedish government is now broadening its IT policy work by preparing its national Digital agenda:
The government clearly wants Sweden to stay on the top in the digital world:
Visit Sweden and the other Nordic countries – at least digitally – for hope-inspiring views for an old and sometimes ailing Continent.
Ralf Grahn
One of the seven flagship initiatives of the EU2020 strategy is the Digital Agenda for Europe.
The first Digital Agenda Scoreboard SEC(2011) 708 and the country-specific data show that Sweden is one of the leading European countries with regard to broadband, Internet usage and eGovernment, as well as the adoption of EU legislation and progress on regulatory issues.
Broadband strategy
Previously, the Swedish government took strategic initiatives to support digitalisation in several key policy areas via an eGovernment action plan, a broadband strategy for Sweden and a national IT strategy for health care and social services.
For instance, in November 2009 the government of Sweden published a national strategy for broadband development, including an English version:
Broadband strategy for Sweden (Government Offices of Sweden, Ministry of Enterprise Energy and Communications; 36 pages)
The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency PTS has just reported on the follow-up of the government's broadband strategy, the roll-out of broadband infrastructure and the Swedish telecom market (links under Latest documents).
Digital agenda
Without discarding the ongoing strategies, in the footsteps of the EU Digital Agenda the Swedish government is now broadening its IT policy work by preparing its national Digital agenda:
The digital agenda will supplement ongoing initiatives. It will coordinate IT measures in areas such as security, infrastructure, skills provision, trust, accessibility, functionality, standards, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The government clearly wants Sweden to stay on the top in the digital world:
The digital agenda will be a cross-cutting, coherent strategy for the whole of Sweden that aims to make full use of the benefits of information technology. The digital agenda will set clear objectives for all relevant areas so that Sweden can continue to be the most successful digital economy.
The Government's ambition is for Sweden to be at the forefront in using IT to achieve growth, welfare, democratic and climate objectives. The role of the Government is to direct and create an appropriate regulatory framework, and in other ways give the market good prospects of offering solutions.
Visit Sweden and the other Nordic countries – at least digitally – for hope-inspiring views for an old and sometimes ailing Continent.
Ralf Grahn
Monday, 6 June 2011
EU radio spectrum impact assessment
In line with EU regulation policies and for the benefit of the national governments, parliaments and the public, as well as the European Parliament, the Commission proposal to establish the first radio spectrum programme (RSPP) for the European Union COM(2010) 471 was accompanied by two Commission Staff Working documents.
A summary of the impact assessment was published in 22 official EU languages.
The English version of the IA summary:
SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying document to the Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme; Brussels, 20.9.2010 SEC(2010) 1035 final (9 pages)
According to the bibliographic notice on Eur-Lex, the full impact assessment has been published published only in English:
IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying document to the Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme; Brussels, 20.9.2010 SEC(2010) 1034 final (78 pages)
Ralf Grahn
A summary of the impact assessment was published in 22 official EU languages.
The English version of the IA summary:
SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying document to the Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme; Brussels, 20.9.2010 SEC(2010) 1035 final (9 pages)
According to the bibliographic notice on Eur-Lex, the full impact assessment has been published published only in English:
IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying document to the Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme; Brussels, 20.9.2010 SEC(2010) 1034 final (78 pages)
Ralf Grahn
Friday, 3 June 2011
EU Commission: Radio spectrum policy programme (RSPP) proposal
In September 2010 the Commission proposed the first Radio Spectrum Policy Programme (RSPP) for the European Union. The RSPP proposal is available in 22 official EU languages.
The English pdf version of the proposed radio spectrum decision, based on Article 114 TFEU on approximation (harmonisation) of laws:
Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme; Brussels, 20.9.2010 COM(2010) 471 final (20 pages)
Wireless single market etc.
Improved use of scarce radio frequencies is key to new and better wireless broadband services, in line with the growth, competitivensess and employment objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy (EU2020) and the Digital Agenda for Europe.
According to the Commission the first multiannual RSPP runs until 2015 and it is intended to serve a number of aims, among which:
Aim and main principles
The first two Articles of the proposed decision express the Commission's view of the aim and the guiding principles:
Ralf Grahn
The English pdf version of the proposed radio spectrum decision, based on Article 114 TFEU on approximation (harmonisation) of laws:
Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing the first radio spectrum policy programme; Brussels, 20.9.2010 COM(2010) 471 final (20 pages)
Wireless single market etc.
Improved use of scarce radio frequencies is key to new and better wireless broadband services, in line with the growth, competitivensess and employment objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy (EU2020) and the Digital Agenda for Europe.
According to the Commission the first multiannual RSPP runs until 2015 and it is intended to serve a number of aims, among which:
The strategic planning and harmonisation of spectrum use at Union level should enhance the single market for wireless electronic communications services and equipment as well as other Union policies requiring spectrum use, thus creating new opportunities for innovation and contributing to economic recovery and social integration across the Union, while at the same time respecting the important social, cultural and economic value of spectrum. To this end, the Union therefore needs a policy programme that covers the internal market in all Union policy areas involving the use of spectrum such as electronic communications, research and development, transport and energy.
Aim and main principles
The first two Articles of the proposed decision express the Commission's view of the aim and the guiding principles:
Article 1These Articles are followed by provisions about specific policy objectives.
Aim
This Decision establishes a radio spectrum policy programme for the strategic planning and harmonisation of the use of spectrum to ensure the functioning of the internal market.
Article 2
Application of general regulatory principles
Member States shall cooperate with each other and with the Commission in a transparent manner, in order to ensure the consistent application of the following general regulatory principles across the Union:
(a) encouraging efficient use of spectrum to best meet the increasing demand for use of frequencies;
(b) applying technology and service neutrality in the use of spectrum for electronic communications networks and services, in accordance with Article 9 of Directive 2002/21/EC (Framework Directive), and where possible for other sectors and applications, in such a way as to promote efficiency of spectrum use, in particular by fostering flexibility, and to promote innovation;
(c) applying the least onerous authorisation system possible in such a way as to maximise flexibility and efficiency in spectrum usage;
(d) guaranteeing the functioning of the internal market, in particular by ensuring effective competition.
Ralf Grahn
Thursday, 26 May 2011
New EU telecoms rules in force (Digital Agenda)
The Digital Agenda spearheads the Europe 2020 growth strategy (EU2020) and efforts to achieve a genuine Single Market. One stage was reached 25 May 2011, when new telecoms rules entered into force in the European Union. The Commission offers a brief overview of the new rules on phone, mobile and Internet services in a press release published in 22 official EU languages; here the English version with links to the other languages:
Digital Agenda: new telecoms rules benefit citizens and businesses across Europe; Brussels 23 May 2011 IP/11/622
The press release contains links to more detailed memos in English.
Ralf Grahn
Digital Agenda: new telecoms rules benefit citizens and businesses across Europe; Brussels 23 May 2011 IP/11/622
The press release contains links to more detailed memos in English.
Ralf Grahn
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Which straitjacket and life jacket for Eurozone Greece?
Yesterday, I collected a few of my blog posts regarding the eurozone crisis and the issue of transparency on Grahnlaw Suomi Finland. The text is in Swedish, but most of the posts and some references are in English: EU-institutionerna mellan stumhet, PR och genuin öppenhet (Portugal och Grekland). (For the rest, you can try Google translation.)
While I am worried that the lack of quality information from the EU institutions is like a gift to demagogues and populists in the weak eurozone countries as well as in the stronger ones, the president of the European Council had taken a different tack the previous day. According to EurActiv, Herman Van Rompuy maintained that the messages given out are part of the problem, not a part of the solution: Special report: Van Rompuy warns leaders not to panic markets (20 May 2011).
As we have noted, credible and up-to-date information from the EU institutions about Greece is especially scarce. Not a word in the Ecofin conclusions on Tuesday.
Regardless of conflicting messages and Van Rompuy's admonishing words the markets follow their own instincts and reasoning.
Greece downgraded
On the Brussels blog (Financial Times), Joshua Chaffin notes that the credit rating agency Fitch Friday downgraded Greece's long term debt by one notch to B+, with a negative outlook. ”Soft” or not, the rating agency takes a dim view of any debt restructuring: Fitch joins chorus for another Greece bailout (20 May 2011).
However, Reuters speaks about a cut by three notches, but records the same B+: Fitch cuts Greek rating, warns over restructuring (20 May 2011).
According to Wikipedia, Fitch's credit rating B+ is in the category Non-investment grade, highly speculative. Three notches below the March rating BB+, Greece is now in the company of Zambia.
Le Monde makes the three-notch drop explicit, by mentioning both the previous BB+ and the new B+ grade: L'agence Fitch dégrade de trois crans la note de la Grèce (20 May 2011).
Bloomberg tells us that the yield on the Greek 10-year bonds rose to 16.6 percent: Fitch Cuts Greece to B+, Says Maturity Extension Is Default (20 May 2011). It is even clearer than before that Greece is outside commercial debt financing of its huge government deficits.
The next moves have to come from the government and society of Greece, followed by the conclusions of the EU-IMF mission, but we still have to wait for guarantees that the EU, including the ECB and the member states, will deliver a combination straitjacket and life jacket able to avoid financial meltdown.
Ralf Grahn
While I am worried that the lack of quality information from the EU institutions is like a gift to demagogues and populists in the weak eurozone countries as well as in the stronger ones, the president of the European Council had taken a different tack the previous day. According to EurActiv, Herman Van Rompuy maintained that the messages given out are part of the problem, not a part of the solution: Special report: Van Rompuy warns leaders not to panic markets (20 May 2011).
As we have noted, credible and up-to-date information from the EU institutions about Greece is especially scarce. Not a word in the Ecofin conclusions on Tuesday.
Regardless of conflicting messages and Van Rompuy's admonishing words the markets follow their own instincts and reasoning.
Greece downgraded
On the Brussels blog (Financial Times), Joshua Chaffin notes that the credit rating agency Fitch Friday downgraded Greece's long term debt by one notch to B+, with a negative outlook. ”Soft” or not, the rating agency takes a dim view of any debt restructuring: Fitch joins chorus for another Greece bailout (20 May 2011).
However, Reuters speaks about a cut by three notches, but records the same B+: Fitch cuts Greek rating, warns over restructuring (20 May 2011).
According to Wikipedia, Fitch's credit rating B+ is in the category Non-investment grade, highly speculative. Three notches below the March rating BB+, Greece is now in the company of Zambia.
Le Monde makes the three-notch drop explicit, by mentioning both the previous BB+ and the new B+ grade: L'agence Fitch dégrade de trois crans la note de la Grèce (20 May 2011).
Bloomberg tells us that the yield on the Greek 10-year bonds rose to 16.6 percent: Fitch Cuts Greece to B+, Says Maturity Extension Is Default (20 May 2011). It is even clearer than before that Greece is outside commercial debt financing of its huge government deficits.
The next moves have to come from the government and society of Greece, followed by the conclusions of the EU-IMF mission, but we still have to wait for guarantees that the EU, including the ECB and the member states, will deliver a combination straitjacket and life jacket able to avoid financial meltdown.
Ralf Grahn
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Ecofin: Eurozone bailout Portugal
It is a telling sign of weak EU structures that the chief outcome of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) is produced ”in the margins” of the Council:
Statement by the Eurogroup and ECOFIN Ministers (16 May; no document identifier)
The unanimous decision by ministers is there, but references (links) to decisions and other documents in final or draft form would have made the statement more credible and readable.
Ecofin
Until the conclusions of the Ecofin meeting (16 and) 17 May 2011 are released, interested readers find guidance in the agenda and the background note (including a few paragraphs about Portugal).
Ralf Grahn
P.S. The members of the French blog collective ”les Cabris de l'Europe” produce the must-read Euroblog Europe 27etc, which discusses the shortcomings and feats of EU politics in France and elsewhere. Critical and constructive.
P.S. 1: Has the EU Council really internalised the newish Lisbon Treaty? The discussion about access to documents and Council transparency continues on Ronny Patz's blog post.
Statement by the Eurogroup and ECOFIN Ministers (16 May; no document identifier)
The unanimous decision by ministers is there, but references (links) to decisions and other documents in final or draft form would have made the statement more credible and readable.
Ecofin
Until the conclusions of the Ecofin meeting (16 and) 17 May 2011 are released, interested readers find guidance in the agenda and the background note (including a few paragraphs about Portugal).
Ralf Grahn
P.S. The members of the French blog collective ”les Cabris de l'Europe” produce the must-read Euroblog Europe 27etc, which discusses the shortcomings and feats of EU politics in France and elsewhere. Critical and constructive.
P.S. 1: Has the EU Council really internalised the newish Lisbon Treaty? The discussion about access to documents and Council transparency continues on Ronny Patz's blog post.
Monday, 16 May 2011
Citizens first: EU Council ignores the Treaty
In his blog post The schizophrenic Council, Ronny Patz saw the real face of the Council of the European Union as that of an EU institution
However, Kemppinen's arguments miss the fundamental principles of equality of and equal attention to the citizens of the EU (Article 9 TEU), as well as the guiding values of a union 'in which decisions are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen' (Article 1 TEU).
This is more than a bureaucratic slip.
The guiding principles are relevant to both the apples of access to documents and the oranges of running communication work of the EU Council (as well as the other EU institutions).
The fruits belong to the citizens of the European Union.
Ralf Grahn
…that may have started to understand how 21st century PR works but that has not yet understood how 21st century democracy should look like.Kudos to Reijo Kemppinen for presenting the Council view about restricted and privileged access to information.
However, Kemppinen's arguments miss the fundamental principles of equality of and equal attention to the citizens of the EU (Article 9 TEU), as well as the guiding values of a union 'in which decisions are taken as openly as possible and as closely as possible to the citizen' (Article 1 TEU).
This is more than a bureaucratic slip.
The guiding principles are relevant to both the apples of access to documents and the oranges of running communication work of the EU Council (as well as the other EU institutions).
The fruits belong to the citizens of the European Union.
Ralf Grahn
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Herman Van Rompuy: Great Expectations
Herman Van Rompuy initiated a channel to EU citizen (bloggers) by launching 'Ask your question!' on Facebook. However, a few days after Europe Day 9 May 2011 most of the questions are still unanswered and the few recorded replies can hardly be described as illuminating, although new comments may still appear.
Until then, instead of the 'Great Expectations' drummed up – and then deceived – the questions by the participants and their reactions remain the most valuable part. (Remember to scroll down to older posts, until the end.)
The rickety institutional framework of the eurozone and the continuing appearance of new salvage operations erode trust in leaders wedded to 'dark secrets'.
Mainly written by pro-EU bloggers, posts marked 'eurozone' and 'myeurope' on Bloggingportal.eu tell us something about the need for 'comprehensive reform', way beyond failed PR exercises and official optimism.
The European Union needs to become real, trustworthy and comprehensible in the eyes of its citizens.
Update 14 May 2011: Read the EurActiv article 'EU leaders played poker with the euro and lost, says Borrell' (13 May 2011).
Ralf Grahn
Until then, instead of the 'Great Expectations' drummed up – and then deceived – the questions by the participants and their reactions remain the most valuable part. (Remember to scroll down to older posts, until the end.)
The rickety institutional framework of the eurozone and the continuing appearance of new salvage operations erode trust in leaders wedded to 'dark secrets'.
Mainly written by pro-EU bloggers, posts marked 'eurozone' and 'myeurope' on Bloggingportal.eu tell us something about the need for 'comprehensive reform', way beyond failed PR exercises and official optimism.
The European Union needs to become real, trustworthy and comprehensible in the eyes of its citizens.
Update 14 May 2011: Read the EurActiv article 'EU leaders played poker with the euro and lost, says Borrell' (13 May 2011).
Ralf Grahn
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Europe, 9 May and eurozone on Bloggingportal.eu
Without any official My Europe Week campaign to inspire eurobloggers, all the latest 100 entries tagged 'myeurope' on Bloggingportal.eu are now new ones, published during the last days.
The blog posts deal with Europe Day 2011 events or thoughts about the past, present and future of the European Union. Some of the articles are remarkable, well worth your tweets etc.
The other Bloggingportal.eu theme I find necessary to highlight is the 'eurozone', where the innate lack of transparency and credibility of official efforts offers juicy gifts to those who want to undermine the common currency.
Ralf Grahn
The blog posts deal with Europe Day 2011 events or thoughts about the past, present and future of the European Union. Some of the articles are remarkable, well worth your tweets etc.
The other Bloggingportal.eu theme I find necessary to highlight is the 'eurozone', where the innate lack of transparency and credibility of official efforts offers juicy gifts to those who want to undermine the common currency.
Ralf Grahn
Monday, 9 May 2011
Europe Day blogging 2011
Even if there is no real My Europe Week blog festival this year, you can still share your blog entries about Europe Day (9 May) events and your thoughts about the future of the European Union. By now there are about 35 new posts tagged 'myeurope' on Bloggingportal.eu.
On Twitter you can participate under the hashtags #EuropeDay and now also the shorter #euday, as well as the more reflective #MyEurope.
Own blogging
At this stage, my own experiment has been to compare feelings a year ago and now:
Share your Europe Day 2011
Europe Day essence: The future
Europe Day thrives on languages
Europe Day thoughts
***
Are there clear enough signs that the European Union has increasingly become a part of the solution? What should and could be done?
Ralf Grahn
On Twitter you can participate under the hashtags #EuropeDay and now also the shorter #euday, as well as the more reflective #MyEurope.
Own blogging
At this stage, my own experiment has been to compare feelings a year ago and now:
Share your Europe Day 2011
Europe Day essence: The future
Europe Day thrives on languages
Europe Day thoughts
***
Are there clear enough signs that the European Union has increasingly become a part of the solution? What should and could be done?
Ralf Grahn
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Share your Europe Day 2011
Soon there are seven billion of us sharing this fragile planet. The idea of European integration is very much about the future: making life more safe and prosperous for Europeans, as well as for all other humans.
Europe Day 9 May offers us a good reason to think about what we can learn from the past in order to build a better future. Reading the Schuman declaration of 9 May 1950 is a good way to start (available in twenty-two official EU languages).
'De facto solidarity' was on my mind a year ago, and the need has gone nowhere, despite regression trips among European electorates.
Last year, the call by Bloggingportal.eu editors for eurobloggers to share their views during My Europe Week led to 84 blog entries archived.
Nothing prevents the willing from using the hashtags #MyEurope and #EuropeDay on Twitter, or to think aloud about our common future AD MMXI.
Ralf Grahn
Europe Day 9 May offers us a good reason to think about what we can learn from the past in order to build a better future. Reading the Schuman declaration of 9 May 1950 is a good way to start (available in twenty-two official EU languages).
'De facto solidarity' was on my mind a year ago, and the need has gone nowhere, despite regression trips among European electorates.
Last year, the call by Bloggingportal.eu editors for eurobloggers to share their views during My Europe Week led to 84 blog entries archived.
Nothing prevents the willing from using the hashtags #MyEurope and #EuropeDay on Twitter, or to think aloud about our common future AD MMXI.
Ralf Grahn
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Stability, convergence and EU2020 compliance: EU member states and Commission
The spring meeting of the European Council 24 to 25 March 2011 (EUCO 10/11, paragraph 2 and footnote 1) outlined the the next steps within the framework of the European semester and endorsed the the priorities for fiscal consolidation and structural reform ”in line with” the Council's conclusions of 15 February and 7 March 2011 and further to the Commission's Annual Growth Survey, while also referring to the synthesis report of 16 March 2011 by the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The conclusions of the Ecofin Council (Economic and Financial Affairs) 15 February 2011 on the European Semester stated that the Stability and Convergence Programmes and National Reform Programmes for the period 2011/2012 were to be submitted by the EU member states preferably by mid-April or end April at the latest (paragraph 1).
During our pre-deadline peek on 22 April 2011 we found both programmes, but mainly in the national languages, from four countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland) plus the Stability programme of Slovenia posted on the web pages of DG Economic and Financial Affairs (Ecfin) of the European Commission.
The next day we looked for updates on the website of the Europe 2020 strategy, but found none.
However, by searching for documents from the EU member states, we unearthed and provided links to the posted language versions of the first Stability Programmes, Convergence Programmes or National Reform Programmes stashed away on the website (Germany, Bulgaria, Belgium and Hungary).
We also provided direct links to the different language versions of the programmes posted on the Ecfin web page.
In part, different sets had been posted on the two Commission websites. At the time, even after combining the EU2020 and Ecfin websites, we still had no programmes from 21 out of 27 EU member states, and only one programme each from two of the six countries posted on the websites of the European Commission. Only Hungary and Finland offered both programmes in English.
Submission deadline
We have passed the 30 April 2011 deadline and we have entered what the Elisabethan writer Thomas Dekker called ”The Merry Month of May”.
The final version of the Stability Programme of each eurozone country or the Convergence Programme from each EU member progressing towards euro adoption, plus the National Reform Programme for every member, is its main contribution towards fulfilling its obligations according to the Stability and Growth Pact, the European Semester and the growth-enhancing reforms in line with the EU2020 strategy.
The drafts were submitted last autumn, but have been under wraps. It is high time for the European public to be able to access the final programmes, the new language versions (especially English) and possible related improvements and updates on the EU2020 and Ecfin websites.
Europe 2020 improvements and updates
The latest updates on the EU2020 website are press releases from the Commission.
If we search for Latest documents, the last addition is from 25 March 2011, namely a link to the conclusions of the [European] Council, which include the agreed text on the Euro Plus Pact.
In other words, the Commission has not improved its presentation since our latest visit.
In my humble opinion, on a pan-EU website such as Europe 2020, all the EU institutions and the member states should be treated on an equal basis.
Forewarned, or inspired enough to search for Member states' documents, you find six NRPs added to the ones we found on our previous visit: from Poland (in Polish), Lithuania (in English), Luxembourg (in French), the Czech Republic (in Czech), Ireland (in English) and the United Kingdom (in English).
Eight National Reform Programmes out of 27 EU member states, but only four programmes in English.
Ecfin improvements and updates
Through the Ecfin web page 'Stability and Convergence programmes (or updates) and National Reform Programmes 2011 – programmes received to date' we find thirteen Stability or Convergence programmes and nine NRPs, but most English versions are not yet available.
The DG Ecfin offers a dedicated web page and the available programmes can be seen at a glance. In addition to the submitted programmes, the page contains space for the later stages: Staff Working Paper, Commission recommendation and Council recommendation.
Clearly, someone has done some thinking. Perhaps the people responsible for the Europe 2020 strategy and website could pay a visit.
The missing Swedish version of the NRP from Finland I remarked about has not been added in the meantime.
***
Hopefully, we are going to see improvements within the next few days, by the EU member states as well as the Commission, because the deadline for proposed recommendations is approaching (late May, early June).
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Infopolitics.eu is a public service dedicated to news and opinion concerning netizens' rights and freedoms. It is a joint project by the Greens-EFA in the European Parliament and Piratpartiet.
The conclusions of the Ecofin Council (Economic and Financial Affairs) 15 February 2011 on the European Semester stated that the Stability and Convergence Programmes and National Reform Programmes for the period 2011/2012 were to be submitted by the EU member states preferably by mid-April or end April at the latest (paragraph 1).
During our pre-deadline peek on 22 April 2011 we found both programmes, but mainly in the national languages, from four countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland) plus the Stability programme of Slovenia posted on the web pages of DG Economic and Financial Affairs (Ecfin) of the European Commission.
The next day we looked for updates on the website of the Europe 2020 strategy, but found none.
However, by searching for documents from the EU member states, we unearthed and provided links to the posted language versions of the first Stability Programmes, Convergence Programmes or National Reform Programmes stashed away on the website (Germany, Bulgaria, Belgium and Hungary).
We also provided direct links to the different language versions of the programmes posted on the Ecfin web page.
In part, different sets had been posted on the two Commission websites. At the time, even after combining the EU2020 and Ecfin websites, we still had no programmes from 21 out of 27 EU member states, and only one programme each from two of the six countries posted on the websites of the European Commission. Only Hungary and Finland offered both programmes in English.
Submission deadline
We have passed the 30 April 2011 deadline and we have entered what the Elisabethan writer Thomas Dekker called ”The Merry Month of May”.
The final version of the Stability Programme of each eurozone country or the Convergence Programme from each EU member progressing towards euro adoption, plus the National Reform Programme for every member, is its main contribution towards fulfilling its obligations according to the Stability and Growth Pact, the European Semester and the growth-enhancing reforms in line with the EU2020 strategy.
The drafts were submitted last autumn, but have been under wraps. It is high time for the European public to be able to access the final programmes, the new language versions (especially English) and possible related improvements and updates on the EU2020 and Ecfin websites.
Europe 2020 improvements and updates
The latest updates on the EU2020 website are press releases from the Commission.
If we search for Latest documents, the last addition is from 25 March 2011, namely a link to the conclusions of the [European] Council, which include the agreed text on the Euro Plus Pact.
In other words, the Commission has not improved its presentation since our latest visit.
In my humble opinion, on a pan-EU website such as Europe 2020, all the EU institutions and the member states should be treated on an equal basis.
Forewarned, or inspired enough to search for Member states' documents, you find six NRPs added to the ones we found on our previous visit: from Poland (in Polish), Lithuania (in English), Luxembourg (in French), the Czech Republic (in Czech), Ireland (in English) and the United Kingdom (in English).
Eight National Reform Programmes out of 27 EU member states, but only four programmes in English.
Ecfin improvements and updates
Through the Ecfin web page 'Stability and Convergence programmes (or updates) and National Reform Programmes 2011 – programmes received to date' we find thirteen Stability or Convergence programmes and nine NRPs, but most English versions are not yet available.
The DG Ecfin offers a dedicated web page and the available programmes can be seen at a glance. In addition to the submitted programmes, the page contains space for the later stages: Staff Working Paper, Commission recommendation and Council recommendation.
Clearly, someone has done some thinking. Perhaps the people responsible for the Europe 2020 strategy and website could pay a visit.
The missing Swedish version of the NRP from Finland I remarked about has not been added in the meantime.
***
Hopefully, we are going to see improvements within the next few days, by the EU member states as well as the Commission, because the deadline for proposed recommendations is approaching (late May, early June).
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Infopolitics.eu is a public service dedicated to news and opinion concerning netizens' rights and freedoms. It is a joint project by the Greens-EFA in the European Parliament and Piratpartiet.
Monday, 2 May 2011
”Wide ownership” of Europe 2020 strategy – and more intense
The European Union and the EU member states have programmes for competitiveness in and of Europe, but the Europe 2020 growth strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (EU2020) and the relaunch of the Single Market (through the Single Market Act SMA) need to develop much beyond ritualistic planning and reporting chores for a handful of EU and central government officials.
”Wide ownership”
At least, the spring meeting of the European Council 24 to 25 March 2011 (EUCO 10/11) paid lip service to the need to engage all stakeholders, but the summit silently dismissed the demand from the Committee of the Regions to create territorial growth pacts:
Regarding the challenge from the CoR and support from the European Parliament and the Commission, see the blog post (in Swedish) 'Regionerna utmanar EU-rådet: Pakt och partnerskap för EU2020-strategin' and (in English) 'Europe 2020 strategy: Regions challenge central governments', published just before the ides of March.
Having thwarted the regional ambitions, what are the European Council, the Council (of ministers) and the EU member states going to do to create at least a sense of wider ownership, even if lacking empowerment?
How are they going to manifest their own ownership more intensely?
They make or break the reform strategies for competitiveness, but how often do we see signs of the EU2020 strategy and the SMA at the top of the political agenda in the member states?
How much of a wider debate do we notice?
Hungarian benchmark
At this point, I am far from convinced that the EU2020 strategy will prove to be a greater success than the lost decade of the Lisbon strategy, even if proactive reform policies are crucial for the prosperity and the public services of Europeans.
However, even in dire circumstances there are almost always pockets of excellence to be found.
The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union communicated brilliantly about the informal meeting of research ministers on innovation challenges 11 to 13 April 2011.
Is the Council secretariat prepared to improve the Consilium web pages by including links to future informal ministerial meetings of the different Council configurations? Is the next presidency trio – Poland, Denmark and Cyprus (Wikipedia) - ready to equal or surpass the benchmark set by Hungary regarding the meeting of the ministers for research?
***
We have to find and to nurture pockets of excellence, necessary to promote and communicate both wider and more intense ownership of the Europe 2020 growth strategy and other reform programmes, such as the Single Market Act and the Small Business Act, based on the sustainable foundations of the Stability or Convergence Programmes.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. In French and English, La Quadrature du Net informs us about legal developments at EU and national level and advocates the rights and freedoms of citizens on the Internet. Highly recommended.
”Wide ownership”
At least, the spring meeting of the European Council 24 to 25 March 2011 (EUCO 10/11) paid lip service to the need to engage all stakeholders, but the summit silently dismissed the demand from the Committee of the Regions to create territorial growth pacts:
6. In implementing these policies, and in order to ensure wide ownership, close cooperation will be maintained with the European Parliament and other EU institutions and advisory bodies (ESC, CoR), with the full involvement of national parliaments, social partners, regions and other stakeholders.
Regarding the challenge from the CoR and support from the European Parliament and the Commission, see the blog post (in Swedish) 'Regionerna utmanar EU-rådet: Pakt och partnerskap för EU2020-strategin' and (in English) 'Europe 2020 strategy: Regions challenge central governments', published just before the ides of March.
Having thwarted the regional ambitions, what are the European Council, the Council (of ministers) and the EU member states going to do to create at least a sense of wider ownership, even if lacking empowerment?
How are they going to manifest their own ownership more intensely?
They make or break the reform strategies for competitiveness, but how often do we see signs of the EU2020 strategy and the SMA at the top of the political agenda in the member states?
How much of a wider debate do we notice?
Hungarian benchmark
At this point, I am far from convinced that the EU2020 strategy will prove to be a greater success than the lost decade of the Lisbon strategy, even if proactive reform policies are crucial for the prosperity and the public services of Europeans.
However, even in dire circumstances there are almost always pockets of excellence to be found.
The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union communicated brilliantly about the informal meeting of research ministers on innovation challenges 11 to 13 April 2011.
Is the Council secretariat prepared to improve the Consilium web pages by including links to future informal ministerial meetings of the different Council configurations? Is the next presidency trio – Poland, Denmark and Cyprus (Wikipedia) - ready to equal or surpass the benchmark set by Hungary regarding the meeting of the ministers for research?
***
We have to find and to nurture pockets of excellence, necessary to promote and communicate both wider and more intense ownership of the Europe 2020 growth strategy and other reform programmes, such as the Single Market Act and the Small Business Act, based on the sustainable foundations of the Stability or Convergence Programmes.
Ralf Grahn
P.S. In French and English, La Quadrature du Net informs us about legal developments at EU and national level and advocates the rights and freedoms of citizens on the Internet. Highly recommended.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Improving communication: Informal EU Council meetings
We have scouted in the direction of competitiveness, in EU programme terms the Europe 2020 growth strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (EU2020) and the relaunch of the Single Market (through the Single Market Act SMA).
This has now led us to ask if future Council presidencies will try to exceed the benchmark set by Hungary for an informal Council meeting and if communication on official and informal Council meetings could be better integrated.
Hungarian benchmark
I am impressed. The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union showed the way by going well beyond the traditionally lousy communication standards for informal Council meetings.
The informal Competitiveness Council 11 to 13 April 2011, where research ministers discussed innovation, offered stakeholders, the media and the wider public a fairly detailed account of the meeting as well as the solid discussion paper Future Perfect.
Even if the ministerial discussions 'sub rosa' remained closed to the public, the well structured web page with the main press release brilliantly gave interested readers access to related news and pages, as well as relevant external websites and documents about research and technological development (RTD).
(We also found that the European Commission should do some technical repair work regarding the links to the Digital Agenda.)
Improving the Consilium website
As we have seen, the Consilium website offers us official conslusions, as here regarding the Competitiveness Council (internal market, industry, research and space).
Even if it still seems like a utopian dream to wish for one-stop thematic websites truly covering all the EU institutions, I wonder if the Council (Consilium) couldn't at least build a bridge to the rotating presidency by including the main press release (web page) reporting the outcome of each informal Council meeting.
This would offer a permanent reference to the presidency pages, otherwise easily missed. In turn, wider and more long term readership might inspire future Council presidencies to communicate more generously about the informal Council meetings they arrange, with the Hungarian innovation page as the benchmark 'pro tempore'.
Is the next trio – Poland, Denmark and Cyprus (Wikipedia) - ready to take up the challenge?
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Gergely Polner and Hajdú Márton give the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council a human face on the Kovács & Kováts blog. You can follow @polnerspox and @hajduspox on Twitter, too.
This has now led us to ask if future Council presidencies will try to exceed the benchmark set by Hungary for an informal Council meeting and if communication on official and informal Council meetings could be better integrated.
Hungarian benchmark
I am impressed. The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union showed the way by going well beyond the traditionally lousy communication standards for informal Council meetings.
The informal Competitiveness Council 11 to 13 April 2011, where research ministers discussed innovation, offered stakeholders, the media and the wider public a fairly detailed account of the meeting as well as the solid discussion paper Future Perfect.
Even if the ministerial discussions 'sub rosa' remained closed to the public, the well structured web page with the main press release brilliantly gave interested readers access to related news and pages, as well as relevant external websites and documents about research and technological development (RTD).
(We also found that the European Commission should do some technical repair work regarding the links to the Digital Agenda.)
Improving the Consilium website
As we have seen, the Consilium website offers us official conslusions, as here regarding the Competitiveness Council (internal market, industry, research and space).
Even if it still seems like a utopian dream to wish for one-stop thematic websites truly covering all the EU institutions, I wonder if the Council (Consilium) couldn't at least build a bridge to the rotating presidency by including the main press release (web page) reporting the outcome of each informal Council meeting.
This would offer a permanent reference to the presidency pages, otherwise easily missed. In turn, wider and more long term readership might inspire future Council presidencies to communicate more generously about the informal Council meetings they arrange, with the Hungarian innovation page as the benchmark 'pro tempore'.
Is the next trio – Poland, Denmark and Cyprus (Wikipedia) - ready to take up the challenge?
Ralf Grahn
P.S. Gergely Polner and Hajdú Márton give the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council a human face on the Kovács & Kováts blog. You can follow @polnerspox and @hajduspox on Twitter, too.
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