The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) ended on 30 June 2021, and as far as legislative initiatives in the digital and electronic communications sector are concerned, the outcome is very positive.
With regard to the review of the Roaming Regulation, a legislative file led at national level by ANACOM, it was possible to obtain, in just four months since the proposal was presented by the European Commission (EC), a mandate to start trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament.
Also under the aegis of the Portuguese Presidency, the Toolbox on Connectivity was approved, presenting a set of best practices with a view to reducing the cost of deploying very high-capacity networks and ensuring timely, investment-friendly access to 5G radio spectrum, in order to promote connectivity and put it at the service of the Union’s economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis. ANACOM played an important role in the adoption of the Toolbox, co-chairing the Connectivity Special Group, which drafted and adopted the Toolbox, together with EC and the previous German Presidency.
Digital files were a priority for the Presidency, which met the objective of presenting progress reports and compromise texts on the Data Governance Act, the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. Also with regard to the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), although the EC draft was only submitted by the end of April, a progress report was presented.
At a non-legislative level, the Presidency launched four major initiatives, reflected in Ministerial Declarations, on international connectivity, digital entrepreneurship, digital and green transition and on digital principles and rights, which were endorsed by Member States (MS).
The Ministerial Declaration on European Data-Gateway Platforms Strategy, a key element of the EU Digital Decade, was endorsed by 26 MS plus Norway and Iceland, which committed to strengthening Internet connectivity between Europe and its partners in Africa, Asia, the European neighbourhood, the Western Balkans and Latin America.
Another highlight, under the aegis of the Portuguese Presidency, was the formal inauguration of the Ellalink submarine optical cable connecting Europe and Latin America.
As a final note, the adoption of the Lisbon Declaration is also worthy of mention, as a contribution of Member States to the future Solemn Interinstitutional Declaration on Digital Principles and Rights in the EU for the Digital Decade.
Further information:
- Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU, January - June 2021 https://www.2021portugal.eu/en/
