22/05/2024 08:58
The implementation of Telecommunications legislation requires significant resources and governance structures at the member state and EU levels, the Deputy Minister of State for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, said during at the Telecommunications Council of the EU held in Brussels on Tuesday, according to a press release.
The main topic of the Council was an orientation debate on a collaborative approach for coherent implementation of regulations in practice, which focused on the effective implementation of important digital legislation adopted by the EU in recent years.
In his intervention, Damianou noted that the implementation of these legislations requires significant resources and governance structures, both at national and EU level, adding that seamless integration and functionality of the measures adopted should be ensured.
He underlined that the promotion of standards, certification procedures and integrated implementation guidelines at EU level can harmonise practices and clarify requirements from digital technology operators.
He also pointed out that interoperable digital tools, such as the European digital identity wallet, help to ensure that EU principles and policies are implemented in a seamless and uniform way across Member States.
The Deputy Minister stressed that Cyprus places emphasis on private and public sector cooperation to enhance the EU's competitiveness in the field of digital technologies, noting that through this cooperation skills and opportunities for sustainable project financing are developed.
He also agreed that adaptability and diversification of supply chains is required in the light of geopolitical developments. Strategic autonomy within an open economy, he stressed, preserves the EU's global competitiveness without undermining its resilience to geopolitical developments.
During the Council, Cyprus co-signed, together with Denmark, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia and Slovenia, an informal paper on empowering citizens and businesses in digital transformation through a streamlined and ambitious use of the Digital Wallet.
During a working lunch and an exchange of views on digital skills and digital inclusion, Damianou stressed that he considers as a priority, among others, the development of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, which is being implemented in Cyprus with the aim of covering 100% of the infrastructure with access to ultra-high-speed networks by the end of 2025.
He also stressed that the digital skills of the workforce are critical to protect a competitive economy and for this purpose the government is organizing subsidized training programs and seminars. In this context, he noted that Cyprus puts a a special focus on the participation and education of women in the technology sector, with actions aimed at breaking down stereotypes and promoting positive role models in the fields of digital technologies (ICT) and science and applied sciences (STEM).
Finally, the Council marked the launch of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) consortium, for applications in both the public and private sectors. It is noted that Cyprus participates in it as a founding member.