eGovernment: Member States reach agreement on Single Digital Gateway

Today, Ministers’ meeting in Competitiveness Council agreed on a general approach regarding the Commission’s proposal to establish a Single Digital Gateway through which people and companies can access high quality information, online administrative procedures and assistance services. Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: “I welcome the agreement reached by Member States. The Single Digital Gateway is a big step to make the EU Single Market more easily accessible for everybody – it will open up new professional and personal opportunities for people and companies across the EU. It is also a strong incentive to modernise public administrations by developing ambitious and user-focused eGovernment strategies. I now count on the European Parliament’s support to follow on so the Single Digital Gateway becomes a reality soon.” With this general approach, Member States start delivering on commitments made in the Tallinn declaration on eGovernment.The Competitiveness Council meeting today is also discussing various other Single Market and Industry priorities with the participation of CommissionerBieńkowska. Vice-President Andrus Ansip for the Digital Single Market will participate this afternoon to give an overview on progress made on a number of Digital Single Market topics, including the political agreement against unjustified geoblocking. More information on the Commission proposal for a Single Digital Gateway is available here. Further information on geoblocking can be found in the press release and Digital Single Market factsheets.