Key points of Commissioner Reding's
convergence plan:
- She emphasized key points in rolling-out her plan for
ICT & Media convergence during her presentation at the
official luncheon. Her advocacy for merging media, audiovisual
and the information society policies offers a fruitful foundation
and the prospect for future synergies that have yet to be
exploited.
- For the first time, Information Communications Technology
and Media co-exist together in the same European portfolio.
Commissioner Reding's portfolio which includes almost a
quarter of the total EU research spending has led to huge
successes such as the GSM and the Digital Video Broadcasting
standards.
- Her push for boosting free market competition is justified
by wanting to increase the standard of living stimulated
by productivity growth. ICTs are important economic drivers.
Investments in ICT and technical progress accounted for
about 40% of EU labor productivity over the second half
of the 90's and 60% in the US. Recent evidence suggests
that Europe's gap with the US is largely linked to the production
and diffusion of the ICTs. The size of the sector has doubled
since the early 90's achieving 8% of GDP in 2000. The ICT
productivity sector accounts for 18% of overall European
R&D spending.
- A focus to continue to stimulate growth of the ICTs and
Media will be through the EU Research Framework
Program and a New Regulatory Framework.
The framework program will encourage, promote, assimilate
and exploit technological advances while the new regulatory
infrastructure will enhance competition and development
in the eCommunication areas via broad band infrastructure
(an area which Greece lags greatly behind) and policies
such as eEurope and Television
without Frontiers Directive.
- Her next step is the design of a global post eEurope
2005 Strategy which will take us to 2010. The initiative
will be revealed in May 2005.
In concurrence with Commissioner Reding, Mr. Taloumis, CEO
of 3NET Telecommunications, emphasizes the necessity to accelerate
broad band infrastructure in Greece. He also advocates a "tax-free
status for all broad band products and services to encourage
broad band in Greece" He believes the eTrends for the
next five years will include but not limited to, will be "eEducation
and eHealth and eAccess to the work place for all citizens".
Coordinator and host, Mr. Athanasios Papadropoulos,
and General Secretary of Research and Technology,
Mr. John Tsoukalas from the Ministry of Development
offered an introductory foreword at the luncheon and Mr.
Spryos Avarkiotis, President of the Botsis
Foundation honored Commissioner Reding for her contribution
to Europe.
About Commissioner Reding
Mrs. Viviane Reding, a Luxembourg national, obtained a Doctorate
of Human Sciences from Sorbonne, Paris. A Journalist by profession,
she served as President of Luxembourg Union of Journalists from
1986-1998. In 1979, she became a Member of the European Parliament.
In 1999, she was appointed as EU Commissioner responsible for
Education, Youth, Culture, Sport and Media. As of 2004, she
maintains her appointment as European Commissioner responsible
for Information Society and Media. Awards include but not limited
to are the 2001 Golden Medal of European Merit, 2004 Robert
Schuman Medal and Prince of Asturias International Cooperation
Prize. EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR: 
About iForce
iForce Communications S.A. offers experience, know-how and services
in the areas of Event Organization & Management, Corporate
Communications & Public Relations, Marketing, Investor &
Media Relations, Communications Strategy, Lobbying and Project
Procurement which are custom tailored for Greek and International
clientele. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, Governmental
entities and NGO's who consider their strategic presence vital
in the global economy.
© 2005. All trademarks, trade names, service
marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective
companies and/or organizations.
For further information, please contact our Corporate Communications
department :
- Telephone : +30.210.339.2501-2
- Fax : +30.210.339.2318
|
