MEPs back proposal to create first EU programme to boost digital investment

• First ever Digital Europe programme
• A €8.2 billion investment under EU budget 2021-27
• Crucial to achieve the Digital Single Market strategy and increase EU’s international competitiveness

Parliament supports the proposal to create a Digital Europe programme and invest €8.2 billion in 2018 prices under the EU budget 2021-2027 to address increasing digital challenges.

Creating a Digital Europe programme and investing €8.2 billion in 2018 prices (€9.2 billion in current prices) is crucial to achieve the Digital Single Market strategy and to increase the EU’s international competitiveness. In addition to reinforcing Europe’s strategic digital capacities, it is also vital to support high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced digital skills.


Quote

The rapporteur Angelika Mlinar (ALDE, AT) said: “We are working to deliver the first pan-European digital programme, that will reconcile the EU’s leading position in the global race for R&I with our citizens’, consumers’ and industries’ need for an unhindered access to the benefits of digital technology. The EU technology sector cannot keep missing the opportunity of a timely response to the growing demand for digital products and services. This Programme will ensure that adequate resources are pooled together to acquire the most advanced digital capacities, ensure their best use and, especially, acquire the skills needed to develop and use them, in a safe framework that respects our European values.”


Next steps

The proposal for Digital Europe was approved by the European Parliament with 491 votes to 38, and 51 abstentions.

The European Parliament is now ready to start negotiations with EU member states. MEPs want a swift agreement on MFF-related files, in order to avoid the serious setbacks for the launch of the new programmes due to the late adoption, as experienced in the past.

Read more here.

Article Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20181213IPR21705/meps-back-proposal-to-create-first-eu-programme-to-boost-digital-investment