Minister Ivaylo Moskovski: Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU in a period with very intensive digital agenda

Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU in a period with very intensive digital agenda. This was stated by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Ivaylo Moskovski during the hearing at the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) - European Parliament.    

The main goal of the Bulgarian Presidency will be the successful completion of the negotiation process on the reform of the regulatory framework for electronic communications, also said the minister. In his words, the new regulatory framework is very important for the European industry. It will outline the directions of the competition development and set the incentives for the investment in fifth-generation networks (5G) and the fixed fiber optic networks with very high capacity. Minister Moskovski expressed his confidence that consumers will also feel the real benefits of the new rules for innovative services.

Bulgaria is working hard on the Regulation on the free flow of data, which have been collected by the public sector, said the minister. The free flow of non-personal data is a prerequisite for the functioning of the digital economy and for new jobs, he added. “We are aware that our citizens need confidentiality of their communications and privacy in the electronic environment. That is why we are looking for compromise solutions to balance the adequate level of protection and sufficient incentives for the innovations.”, also said Minister Ivaylo Moskovski.

Among the Bulgarian Presidency’s priorities is the promotion of the EU's digital policies in the Western Balkan countries, emphasized Ivaylo Moskovski in the statement. He added that in this regard, the accent is the broadband coverage for all, the encouragement of the high-speed cross-border connectivity and the implementing of the EU rules for the gradual reduction of the roaming charges in these countries. In this regard, we have taken a series of initiatives on a bilateral basis.

Ivaylo Moskovski is going to present the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency in the field of Information Technology and Communications before the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).