Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Telecommunications), 07/06/2019, 7 June 2019

Main results

The Council held a policy debate and adopted conclusions on the future of a highly digitised Europe beyond 2020: 'Boosting digital and economic competitiveness across the Union and digital cohesion'. The debate and the conclusions provide guidance for further steps on these issues.

• Post-2020 digital policy − Council adopts conclusions (press release, 7/6/2019)

Today we had a very positive debate on the main priorities and challenges for Europe's digital policy, including digital transformation, and how best to address them. We will continue our work on enabling the EU to step up its global competitiveness. This includes promoting innovation, supporting key technologies, improving digital skills, enhancing our cybersecurity capacity, and increasing the number of women in the sector. One important aspect of this is the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by all businesses, including small companies. Our future policy must also address issues such as digital disparities to make sure that no one is left behind. Alexandru Petrescu, Romania's Minister for Communications and the Information Society, chair of the Council meeting

Ministers agreed on the position to be taken on behalf of the EU in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19).

Ministers took note of the progress report on a proposal to update privacy rules for electronic communications (ePrivacy).

Under 'Any other business', the presidency updated ministers on current legislative dossiers: the Digital Europe programme, and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre and the Network of Coordination Centres. The presidency also welcomed the adoption the previous day of the directive on open data and public sector information.

The presidency provided an overview of the most important presidency events held in Romania. The Czech delegation briefed ministers on the Prague 5G security conference, and the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator provided information on the law enforcement and judicial aspects related to 5G. The incoming Finnish presidency also presented its work programme.

• Digital single market (background information)