On 20 September in Sofia High Level Conference on Digital Agenda for Europe was held with the participation of Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda. “E-Government, wideband Internet access, information technologies in schools and universities are among the priorities of the Bulgarian Government”, said the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Telecommunication Ivaylo Moskovski during the Conference.
“In the conditions of ongoing financial crisis we are working very hard in the field of e-Government using efficiently EU funds”, said Minister Moskovski. According to him, the aim is to strengthen the basis of the e-Government by the end of the current programme period and in the next programme period (2014 – 2020) to develop and build on what has been achieved.
Vice-President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes said: “First, the EU needs fast broadband networks for everyone. Without that, none of the magic will happen. That's why broadband, more than anything, stimulates the economy: 10 percentage points more broadband penetration means 1 to 1.5 percent more growth.”
According to Mrs. Kroes, еach EU Member State must reflect carefully on this important challenge. The digital imperative is the same for each country. But the exact way to respond to it may be different. „That's why we need a flexible model. We've asked every Member State to nominate a 'Digital Champion': someone to lead work in their country, coordinating with governments, voluntary, and private sectors. So we can seize these digital opportunities”, Commissioner Kroes urged.
The speech of Neelie Kroes before the forum is available HERE
Ministers and other governmental officials, NGOs and businessmen from more than 12 South Eastern European states took part in the event.