Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up  (COM(2005) 347 final — 2005/0144 (COD))
Date: 2005-10-27
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EU programme, information society, information technology

3.2.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28/89

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Decision of the
European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the
extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT
take-up

(COM(2005) 347 final — 2005/0144 (COD))

(2006/C 28/20)

On 10 October 2005 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under
Article 157(3) of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

On 27 September 2005, the Committee Bureau instructed the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure
and the Information Society to prepare the Committee's work on the subject.

Given the urgent nature of the work, the European Economic and Social Committee appointed Mr Retureau
as rapporteur-general at its 421st plenary session, held on 26 and 27 October 2005 (meeting of 27
October), and adopted the following opinion by 79 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions.

1. Introduction

The MODINIS programme (1) was established pursuant
1.1
to the objectives of the Lisbon Council of 23/24 March 2000
(making the EU the most
competitive knowledge-based
economy in the world) and of the Feira Council of 19/20 June
2000, which adopted the eEurope action plan and the long-
term perspectives for the knowledge-based economy encoura-
ging the access of all citizens to new information and commu-
nication technologies (ICTs).

1.2 MODINIS is a multi-annual programme financing the
Information Society (IS) for the period 2003-2005 with regard
to monitoring of the eEurope Action Plan and is due to expire
at the end of the year. The Commission proposes to extend
MODINIS to cover 2006 with regard to cooperation and
promotion of good practices in the field of ICTs and IS analysis
using the open method of coordination (the network and infor-
mation security issues which were included in the initial
programme will henceforth be transferred to ENISA and no
longer financed by MODINIS).

1.3
Continuity of action needs to be guaranteed between the
expiry of the eEurope Action Plan at the end of 2005, the
launch of the i2010 initiative in 2006 and the launch of the
ICT Policy Support programme, earlier than planned, in 2007.
Extending MODINIS to cover 1 January to 31 December 2006
would ensure this continuity; the estimated cost is EUR 7.72
million. A detailed work programme setting out the priorities

Brussels, 27 October 2005.

and actions for 2006 is to be published soon. The proposal is
also relevant for the EEA.

2. General comments

for all

The Committee has repeatedly, in a number of opinions,
2.1
initiatives
expressed its support and encouragement
promoting the IS, such as the eEurope Action Plan, and is soon
to comment on i2010. It believes that the exchange of exper-
tise and good practices and the establishment of indicators for
IS analysis are essential and bring added value, boosting the
competitiveness of the European knowledge-based economy
and increasing cohesion and social inclusion, skilled employ-
ment and sustainable growth.

2.2
In particular, the Committee has already suggested that
Member States be urged to introduce consultative procedures
on the themes of the programme in order to address the
proposals and needs expressed by users, experts and the
network economy more effectively. This would also be benefi-
cial as regards the Framework Programme which will take over
from eEurope; in this connection, in-depth consultations with
the social partners need to be held on qualifications and jobs in
the IS.

2.3
The Committee supports the Commission's proposal to
extend the MODINIS programme by a year. It would like to be
informed in the very near future about the Commission's work
programme for 2006.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Anne-Marie SIGMUND

(1) COM(2002)

2002/0187 CNS; Decision No
2256/2003/EC; EESC Opinion OJ C 61 of 14.3.2003 AC – rappor-
teur: Mr Retureau.

final

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