E-commerce: EU ministers agree on cross-border measures

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
Dec 1, 2014

On November 27, the Council of EU telecommunications ministers met in Brussels. While no agreement was reached regarding net neutrality, the participants agreed on the facilitation of cross-border e-commerce.

"The digital divide ought be reduced, including within member states," according to the Council’s official report. "Measures should be taken to make it easier for e-businesses to expand cross-border and for electronic public services to be accessible cross-border. Barriers for small businesses should be reduced. The need for a stable and predictable regulatory environment for investment was underlined." 

The position taken has been welcomed by the French Secretary of State for Digital Affairs, Axelle Lemaire, who had requested, alongside Germany, that the European Commission address the issue of fairness among major online platforms, in order to maintain an open and non-discriminatory digital single market.

"2015 will be a key year for the new Commission in terms of demonstrating its commitment to make digital a major focus of the European awakening,” said Axelle Lemaire, "by encouraging the creation and growth of innovative digital companies in Europe." 

A summary of the debate will be integrated in an overall presidency report on the EU 2020 midterm review, to be prepared ahead of the December European Council. "The Commission will make proposals for the pursuit of the strategy in early 2015, to be followed by a discussion at the spring European Council.”