COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 20 June 1994 on coordination with regard to information exchange between administrations (94/C 181/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Council resolution of 7 December 1992 on making the Single Market work (1),

Having regard to the Commission communication to the European Parliament and the Council on trans-European data communications networks between administrations and the related proposals,

Having regard to the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament entitled 'Reinforcing the effectiveness of the internal market' and the accompanying working document,

Having regard to the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on the development of administrative cooperation in the implementation and enforcement of Community legislation in the internal market,

Whereas the Council, in its conclusions of 31 March 1992, called on the Member States and the Commission to coordinate such actions as they may have a significant impact on the establishment and development of trans-European networks;

Whereas the crucial and growing need for administrative cooperation calls for the establishment of reliable and efficient systems for the exchange of information between administrations;

Whereas communication and information exchange systems complying with recognized common standards could lay the foundations for a broad range of different types of information exchange, provided that all the components of such systems comply with common specifications on interoperability;

Whereas the administrations concerned should collaborate on setting up a common framework for the future development of communication and information exchange systems for the administrations involved in the operation of the Community;

Whereas conditions and support measures for coordinated implementation of the envisaged measures should be provided for,

RECOGNIZES THE NEED:

1. for adequate coordination between all parties concerned throughout the cycle of setting up and operation of systems for communication and information exchange between administrations involved in administrative cooperation within the Community in order to ensure that these systems are efficient and interoperable;

2. to avoid duplication and to ensure optimum use of available resources, in particular by seeking the most viable means in terms of cost-effectivenees of satisfying requirements for information exchange between administrations;

3. to provide the Community with effective, user-friendly tools and working methods to attain its objectives and implement its policies;

4. for support measures in order to ensure the efficient exchange of information between administrations, such as data protection measures and measures for the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data;

CONSIDERS THAT THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES SHOULD BE PURSUED:

5. coordination of all activities relating to the introduction and operation of communications and information exchange systems between administrations, at both Community and national levels;

6. setting up of a common framework, complying with the relevant international or European standards, for the future development of systems for communication and information exchange between administrations;

7. progressive introduction, in appropriate areas corresponding to identified needs, of operational communication and information exchange systems between the administrations involved in the Community's operation;

CALLS ON THE COMMISSION AND THE MEMBER STATES TO:

8. take measures, at the appropriate level and complying with the principle of subsidiarity, to ensure efficient coordination between Member States, the Commission and the other institutions of the Community and, on their own responsibility, within each of them. That coordination must cover all stages of development, from the feasibility study to the operational stage of communication and information exchange systems between administrations;

9. encourage and facilitate communication and good cooperation between all parties involved in setting up and operating communication and information exchange systems used to assist in pursuing the objectives and implementing the policies of the European Community;

10. regularly monitor the implementation of the actions referred to in points 8 and 9, paying particular attention to the assessment, verification and evaluation of the return on the resources committed;

11. propose provisions for the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data so as to maintain public confidence;

CALLS ON THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS, BODIES AND AGENCIES OF THE COMMUNITY TO:

12. where appropriate, participate in and contribute to measures undertaken in the context of the coordinated introduction of communication and information exchange systems between administrations;

CALLS ON THE COMMISSION TO:

13. submit to the Council, every two years and for the first time in 1996, a report accompanied, if need be, by appropriate proposals on follow-up to this resolution;

AGREES TO:

14. examine, as a matter of priority, any initiatives that the Commission proposes in the areas within its competence.

(1) OJ No C 334, 18. 12. 1992, p. 1.