Commissioner Oettinger and EU ministers discuss digital skills and review of EU telecoms rules

Last night, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society Günther H. Oettinger and Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel hosted an informal dinner with EU ministers responsible for telecoms, economic or digital affairs and education (video coverage on EbS). They discussed how Member States perceive and tackle digital skills gaps in their countries, how they ensure effective collaboration across ministries and with stakeholders, and how the EU can support Member States in tackling the digital skills gaps and mismatches. The objective is to prepare the ground for a joint commitment to develop adequate levels of digital skills in the EU in the face of rapid digitisation. In 2016, the Commission will present a comprehensive skills agenda. At today’s Telecoms Council, Commissioner Oettinger encouraged Member State to endorse the agreement reached earlier this week on the first EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity. EU Ministers also hold an orientation debate on the ongoing review of the EU’s telecoms framework, one of the fundamental elements of the Digital Single Market Strategy. More information can be found here. A press conference is foreseen at 13:00 at the Council and will be live streamed here