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- Ελληνικά
An Informal Meeting of Telecommunications Ministers, held on 11-12 April 2024 in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, was attended by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr.Nicodemus Damianou.
The discussions focused on the need to strengthen cybersecurity, with an emphasis on the protection and resilience of digital critical infrastructures, as well as the creation of a competitive and sustainable single European market where citizens' fundamental rights are protected.
During the proceedings, the importance of universal access to high-speed connectivity for all European citizens, whether they live in urban or rural areas, was noted, and the importance of harmonising the rules governing the telecoms market at European level was stressed as a means of stimulating investment and innovation. At the same time, the Ministers focused on the importance of the sustainable development of the telecommunications market, through the improvement of its energy efficiency and the further use of renewable raw materials.
In the context of the Summit, the Ministers signed the "Louvain-la-Neuve Declaration", which expresses the common intention of the 27 Member States to ensure the protection of citizens online and authorises the European Commission to develop voluntary tools in the form of standardised labelling, allowing digital platforms to inform and users to be informed of the authenticity of the profiles with which they interact in cyberspace.
In his intervention, the Deputy Minister expressed Cyprus' support for the effort to combat misinformation and enhance cybersecurity by strengthening the ability of users to identify misleading content and enhancing the responsibility and accountability of various digital platforms and digital service providers. "Ensuring citizens' fundamental rights is a non-negotiable obligation for all, to create a secure, open and beneficial digital future for all Europeans," said the Deputy Minister, adding that investing in research and innovation is particularly important in this direction.
Moreover, by leveraging innovative technologies, Dr Damianou noted, we can significantly strengthen the effort to move towards a greener and more sustainable digital future, not only in the telecoms sector, but also in the digital world.
