Bulgarian Presidency promises continued focus on digitalization

Digitization THE EU
This week, Emil Karanikolov, Bulgarian Minister of Economy, and Ivaylo Moskovski, Minister of ICT and Transport, presented Bulgaria's priorities for its EU Presidency over the next six months. Bulgaria takes over the presidency at a time when the digital agenda has been pushed hard and has been a clear focus of EU legislation and policy.

The former Estonian presidency really brought digital issues to life during its term; around 50 directives, proposals and other initiatives have been rolled out among member states under the Digital Single Market strategy, and more is to come. Estonia has delivered as promised and the work to put digital issues on the map in Europe has been successful. The content has varied, but overall they have contributed to a constructive discussion on digital issues.

Appointing a 'trio' of countries to hold the presidency of the Council of Ministers for six months each, for 18-month periods, is a form of cooperation established in the 2009 Lisbon Treaties. The aim is for countries to take a longer-term approach and work together to set priorities throughout the period. However, it does not mean that the three presidencies automatically pursue the same line, as they are responsible for the agenda during their term of office.

But in the case of Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria, the trio work seems to have worked just as one might wish, at least if what Bulgaria presented earlier this week is realized. Several of the goals and focus areas that were presented are clearly linked to the work that Estonia has built up, which is both pleasing and reassuring news.

The presentation highlights that a well-functioning Single Market is one of Bulgaria's top priorities, with the aim of empowering both citizens and businesses. To strengthen the digital single market, Bulgaria therefore wants to pick up where Estonia left off, for example by continuing the trialogues on the proposed agreement on "delivery contracts of digital content" and establishing a discussion with the European Parliament on "The Single Digital Portal" and more.

In addition to these focus areas, a number of objectives are also mentioned, such as achieving success in the proposal on the free flow of non-personal data and reaching a common principle on cybersecurity among member states.

The discussion on the future of Europe has concluded that a well-functioning single market is a high priority area for the EU to focus on. The single market is crucial for the prosperity and competitiveness of all EU member states, not least Sweden, which requires equal requirements for regulation and standards in the digital field. The degree of digitization of the business sector varies greatly between countries, which is why the priority of a fairer digital single market with equal conditions and healthy competition for companies is absolutely right. If Europe, and within it Sweden, is to have the opportunity to be a leader in the global digital market, this type of priority is required.

Achieving the long-term vision of a digital Europe requires the presidencies to continue, as Bulgaria has done, to drive an effective and deliberate agenda in line with the work of previous presidencies. So far so good!