Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social committee and the Committee of the Regions - Towards a Global Partnership in the Information Society - Follow-up to the Tunis Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
Date: 2006-04-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: information society, information technology, summit meeting, sustainable development, the EU's international role

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 27.4.2006 
COM(2006) 181 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Towards a Global Partnership in the Information Society:  
Follow-up to the Tunis Phase  
of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Towards a Global Partnership in the Information Society:  
Follow-up to the Tunis Phase  
of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)  

(Text with EEA relevance) 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was held in Tunis 
from 16 to 18 November 2005. It provided a platform for exchange between a large range of 
stakeholders  on  important  issues  affecting  the  emerging  global  Information  Society. 
Previously,  the  Geneva  phase  of  the  Summit  (December  2003)  had  defined  principles  and 
action  points  for  all  major  Information  Society  issues,  from  infrastructures  to  media 
pluralism.1  Two  major  topics  were  left  for  debate  in  Tunis:  Internet  governance  and 
financial  mechanisms  to  bridge  the  digital  divide.  Subsequently,  the  implementation  of 
the WSIS commitments and the follow-up to the Summit emerged as further issues during 
the preparatory process.  

At the Tunis Summit, world leaders endorsed two documents that set out further steps for the 
policy debate on the global Information Society:  

–  The  Tunis  Commitment  (TC)2  recalls  the  Geneva  Declaration  of  Principles  (GDoP)  and 
Geneva  Plan  of  Action  (GPoA),  and  upholds  the  fundamental  principles  underlying  the 
common  vision  of  the  Information  Society.  The  leaders  reaffirmed  their  “desire  and 
commitment  to  build  a  people-centred,  inclusive  and  development-oriented  Information 
Society”3  that  will  be  based  on  the  respect  of  human  rights  and  fundamental  freedoms, 
including the freedom of expression and the freedom to receive and impart information. 

–  The Tunis Agenda for the Information Society (TAIS)4 goes even further by identifying 
the main challenges and showing ways to address them. In particular, it acknowledges the 
scale of the digital divide and the need to address it through different and complementary 
ways.  As  regards  Internet  governance,  the  TAIS  sets  out  a  way  to  carry  forward  the 
discussions.  Finally,  it  shows  how  governments,  regional  and  international  organisations, 
as well as other stakeholders can implement the commitments they have undertaken.  

This communication contains an assessment of the principal Summit results, indicates the EU 
priorities and makes proposals as to how the EU can help follow up the WSIS process. The 

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Cf.  the  documents  adopted  at  the  Geneva  Summit:  Declaration  of  Principles  and  Plan  of  Action, 
www.itu.int/wsis/documents/index1.html. 
www.itu.int/wsis/documents/index2.html. 
TC, para 2.  
www.itu.int/wsis/documents/index2.html. 

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Commission and the EU as a whole wish to remain driving forces in the process and to build 
on the success achieved during the second phase. 

2. 

ASSESSMENT OF THE WSIS OUTCOME 

The  Summit  has  outlined  a  consensus  for  a  global  approach  to  the  Information  Society, 
common  to  all  UN  Member  States  and  based  on  the  two  final  documents  (TC  and  TAIS), 
which complement the documents adopted in Geneva in 2003.  

Thus, the Summit has reaffirmed the primary importance of democracy, of policy objectives 
such as sustainable development and cultural diversity, and of the respect for human rights 
and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression and opinion, as well as the 
freedom  to  receive  and  access  information.  These  are  indispensable  if  information  and 
communication  technologies  (ICTs)  are  to  contribute  to  economic  and  social  progress  in 
emerging and developing countries.  

The Commission welcomes this clear and unequivocal statement which takes on importance 
in  the  light  of  the  incidents  that  surrounded  the  Tunis  Summit.  On  the  basis  of  this  global 
consensus,  the  Commission  will  undertake  determined  efforts  to  prevent  and  counteract 
threats,  risks  and  limitations  to  human  rights  posed  by  the  misuse  of  ICTs,  such  as  cyber-
repression  and  breaches  of  privacy  and  private  correspondence.  In  that  respect,  the 
Commission follows closely the ongoing debate in the US on ways to bar companies (Internet 
access  and  Internet  service  providers,  providers  of  Internet  technologies)  from  helping 
repressive  regimes  to  restrict  the  free  flow  of  information  on  the  Internet.  The  Commission 
encourages  the  companies  concerned  to  work  on  a  code  of  conduct  on  this  crucial  issue,  in 
close cooperation with NGOs.  

A  balanced  agreement  has  been  reached  on  the  way  to  bridge  the  digital  divide5  and  to 
support  vulnerable  groups  like  the  elderly  and  people  with  special  needs.  It  encourages  the 
adoption  of  programmes  to  help  developing  countries  take  advantage  of  ICTs  to  reach  the 
UN’s  Millennium  Development  Goals  (MDGs).  This  needs  to  be  coupled  with  the 
development  of  legal  environments  fostering  competition  and  promoting  investment  in  ICT 
infrastructure and the  development of  new applications and services. The  Commission fully 
supports this approach at international level.  

Furthermore,  the  Commission  supports  a  Digital  Solidarity  Agenda  which  deals  with  the 
concerns expressed by developing countries as regards access to financing through a series of 
programmes and projects involving partner countries, including partnerships with the private 
sector  and  civil  society.  The  EU  will  give  greater  importance  to  the  potential  of  ICTs  for 
contributing  to  attaining  the  MDGs  by  addressing  the  Digital  Solidarity  Agenda  within 
existing mechanisms and helping decision-makers in developing countries make the most of 
these instruments. As regards the Digital Solidarity Fund, the Commission takes note of the 

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Overall, the digital divide has been reduced, but much remains to be done. The latest figures show there 
were  13  fixed  phone  lines  and  19  mobile  subscribers  per  100  inhabitants  in  the  developing  world  in 
2004  (compared  to  4  and  0  in  1994).  Internet  penetration  in  Africa  was  2.6%,  but  the  continent  was 
home  to  only  0.1%  of  the  world’s  broadband  subscribers  (Europe:  27.7%).  Africa’s  share  of  global 
telecommunications 
investment  was  only  4%.  (Source:  ITU  World  Telecommunication/ICT 
Development Report 2006). 

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initiative, which is not of an intergovernmental nature and involves, in an innovative manner, 
local authorities and other stakeholders in combating the digital divide.  

A compromise has been found on Internet governance. The EU has been one of the major 
driving forces in achieving a compromise. The wording of the EU’s proposals contributed to 
reconciling  the  diverging  positions  of  other  delegations,  in  particular  on  the  two  most 
important questions:  

•  The  EU  stressed  throughout  the  preparatory  process  that  governments  have  a  specific 
mission and responsibility vis-à-vis their citizens and that their role should be focused on 
the  principal  issues  of  public  policy,  while  excluding  any  involvement  in  the  day-to-day 
operations.  The  WSIS  has  taken  this  position  on  board  by  recognising  the  need  for 
enhanced cooperation to enable governments, on an equal footing, to carry out their roles 
and responsibilities in international public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. 

•  Moreover, the TAIS lays the foundation for creating the Internet Governance Forum, a 
new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue, another approach suggested by the EU in 
the run-up to the Tunis Summit.  

Hence, the WSIS outcome represents a success from an EU point of view. It reflects the 
positions  expressed  in  particular  in  the  previous  Commission  communication  on  the  EU 
contribution  to  the  second  WSIS  phase6,  the  resolution  of  the  European  Parliament  on  the 
Information Society7, and the Council conclusions of 27 June 20058.  

3. 

FOLLOW-UP TO THE WSIS PROCESS 

In  order  to  implement  the  WSIS  results,  the  Commission  suggests  that  EU  policies  should 
take  into  account  the  recommendations  made  by  the  Summit,  in  particular  in  the  areas  of 
Information  Society,  Research  and  Development  (R&D),  economic  and  policy  cooperation, 
and development aid. In so doing, the EU could draw on its experience with its own strategic 
framework for Information Society policies, the i2010 initiative.  

The  i2010  initiative9  (June  2005)  presents  three  main  action  lines  to  allow  the  EU  to  take 
advantage of the mass deployment of ICTs and the latest waves of technological convergence, 
while ensuring public interest objectives such as cultural diversity, by:  

•  creating  an  open  and  competitive  EU  single  market  for  Information  Society  and  media 

services;  

•  considerably increasing investment in research on ICTs in the EU; 

•  promoting  an  inclusive  European  Information  Society,  with  a  strong  focus  on  activities 

relating to the digital divide, at both geographical and social level.  

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Towards a Global Partnership in the Information Society: the EU contribution to the second phase of 
the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), COM(2005) 234 of 2.6.2005. 
P6_TA(2005)0260, report A6-0172/2005 of 23.6.2005. 
Cf. document 10285/05 (Presse 156). 
europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/i2010/index_en.htm. 

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3.1. 

The fight against the digital divide 

The Tunis Summit has recognised the benefits ICTs can bring to people, and the manner in 
which they can transform people’s activities. The Internet in particular is becoming a critical 
element  helping  local  communities  attract  businesses,  provide  healthcare,  and  improve 
education  and  access  to  government  services.  In  that  respect,  the  Commission  will  follow 
closely attempts to call into question the neutral character of the Internet. 

3.1.1.  The EU’s internal experience 

The  Commission  has  recently  adopted  a  communication  on  Bridging  the  Broadband  Gap10, 
focusing on the EU’s internal geographical divide. It shows that, while broadband stimulates 
economic  growth  in  general,  remote  and  rural  areas  have  the  most  to  gain  from  broadband 
deployment because it reduces the disadvantages of low population density and geographical 
remoteness from the main economic centres.  

Furthermore,  e-Accessibility  is  a  major  theme  under  i2010.11  Intended  actions  build  on 
ongoing  e-Accessibility  activities  in  the  R&D  field  (web  accessibility,  “design  for  all”,  and 
assistive  technology)  and  addresses  issues  relating  to  public  procurement,  certification,  and 
electronic communications legislation.  

To  catalyse  actions  to  address  e-Skills,  the  Commission  established  the  European  e-Skills 
Forum  to  foster  an  open  dialogue  between  stakeholders  and  promote  multi-stakeholder 
partnerships and initiatives.12  

3.1.2.  EU activities at international level 

At international level, the EU shares its internal experience in its external policy for economic 
and development cooperation.  

The  current  Information  Society  dialogues  with  Latin  America  (@LIS)13,  with 
neighbourhood  countries  including  the  Mediterranean  region  (EUMEDIS)14,  and 
emerging  economies  (Brazil,  China,  India,  South  Africa)  provide  fora  where  the  EU  will 
promote,  where  appropriate,  the  WSIS  recommendations.  The  next  opportunity  will  be 
provided by the meeting between EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries due to take 
place in Lisbon.15 

One major innovation  in the EU’s external relations is the Partnership on Infrastructures 
proposed  by  the  “new  strategy  for  Africa”16.  With  the  support  of  funds  from  the  10th 
European  Development  Fund  (EDF),  development  banks  and  the  private  sector,  this 
Infrastructure  Partnership  will  cover  electronic  communications  on  a  pan-African  scale  in 
rural  areas,  in  post-conflict  situation,  for  trans-border  communications  or  any  other  case 
where the market does not deliver.  

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COM(2006) 129 of 20.3.2006. 
Cf. the communication on this, COM(2005) 425 of 13.9.2005. 
europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/ict/policy/ict-skills.htm. 
europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/alis/index_en.htm. 
www.eumedis.net. 
IV EU – Latin America and Caribbean Ministerial Forum on the Information Society, Lisbon, Portugal, 
28-29 April 2006, cf. www.forumsi.gov.pt/index.php?lang=EN. 
COM(2005) 489 of 12.10.2005. 

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This EU-Africa Partnership will operate according to the principle of African ownership and 
could cover in particular: 

•  Strategy  and  regulation:  assistance  measures  to  manage  the  transition  to  liberalised 
interconnection  and 
telecommunications  markets 
interoperability of services, while fostering the reduction of telecommunication costs and 
the  introduction  of  new  technologies.  This  would  include  training  activities,  technical 
assistance and sharing of good practices for regional policy makers and regulators.  

to  facilitate  network 

in  order 

•  Technologically neutral broadband telecommunication  networks as they are proposed 
by  the  Commission  of  the  African  Union  (AUC)  and  the  New  Partnership  for  Africa’s 
Development (NEPAD). 

•  Development of non-commercial pan-African electronic services such as e-government 
between  the  AUC,  the  administrations  of  its  Member  States  and  the  regional  economic 
communities, e-learning, telemedicine. 

•  Research  and  education  networks:  the  aim  would  be  to  improve  the  connectivity  of 
African national research and education networks and to interconnect them with the EU’s 
GÉANT2. This would integrate African researchers into global research communities and 
limit the “brain drain”. 

The Infrastructure Partnership is being prepared by an ACP ICT Programme under the 9th 
EDF,  providing  €20  million  to  support  the  implementation  of  regulatory  frameworks, 
mainstreaming ICTs in other sectors, and capacity building.  

Moreover, capacity building plays a key role in the fight against  the digital  divide. During 
the  Tunis  Summit,  the  Commission  organised,  in  partnership  with  industry,  a  successful 
symposium  on  e-Skills  to  forster  multi-stakeholder  partnerships  and  the  acquisition  of  the 
necessary  skills.  Empowering  people  through  eSkills  is  a  prerequisite  for  local  economic 
development.  

Similar  actions  are  under  consideration  for  the  Caribbean  and  the  Pacific  region,  as 
connection  to  communications  infrastructure  and  the  use  of  ICTs  can  be  very  beneficial  for 
the economic activity of both regions. 

3.1.3. 

International cooperation in Research and Development  

The  importance  of  R&D  is  highlighted  throughout  the  WSIS  documents.  In  its  previous 
communications, the Commission has stressed the need for international cooperation in ICTs 
to give developing countries easier access to new technologies. The latest call under the Sixth 
R&D Framework Programme addresses international cooperation.17  

Under  the  next  Framework  Programme  for  European  R&D  (2007-2013),  international 
cooperation  will  be  considerably  strengthened  through  the  opening-up  of  all  activities  to 
researchers  from  third  countries,  and  through  dedicated  coordination  actions  targeted  at 
specific countries or groups of countries. This should provide substantial new opportunities. 
Possible fields for cooperation could be: early-warning systems, disaster and crisis response 

17 

€ 30 million are earmarked in support of international cooperation. Cf. the published text of the sixth 
call: OJ C 325 of 22.12.2005, p. 25.  

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mechanisms,  the  contribution  of  ICTs  to  fighting  poverty  through  low-cost  technologies, 
priority applications, and system integration. 

3.2. 

Internet-related issues 

3.2.1. 

Internet governance 

Building  on  the  work  carried  out  by  the  Working  Group  on  Internet  Governance,  the  TAIS 
sets out a working definition of Internet governance.18 Moreover, the TAIS highlights a range 
of  key  public  policy  objectives  that  need  to  be  addressed  at  global  level,  from  a  range  of 
development-related issues to the recognition that all governments must be able to participate 
equally in Internet governance to ensure the stability, security and continuity of the Internet. 
Among  other  things,  the  Agenda  explicitly  notes  that  there  are  a  number  of  public  policy 
issues that require attention and are not adequately addressed by current mechanisms, and it 
recognises the need for enhanced cooperation in the future to address this shortcoming. Such 
enhanced cooperation will seek to ensure that governments can, on an equal footing, carry out 
their  roles  and  responsibilities  in  international  public  policy  issues.  The  Commission 
underlines the crucial and positive role that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and 
Numbers  (ICANN)  has  had  up  to  now  in  the  day-to-day  management  of  the  Internet.  The 
Commission strongly supported the creation and functioning of ICANN.  

According to the TAIS,  the  UN  Secretary General has  called  for the first meeting of a  new 
Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to promote and facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue. It 
will take place in Athens from 30 October to 2 November 2006. The meeting will be prepared 
by  an  Advisory  Group  to  be  nominated  by  the  Secretary  General  of  representatives  of  half 
governments and half civil society and the private sector. The first meeting of the Advisory 
Group  is  set  for  22/23  May  in  Geneva.  It  is  important  to  emphasise  that  the  IGF  will  not 
replace any existing arrangements nor will it have any oversight function.  

The EU has successfully convinced its partners to highlight in the Agenda key public policy 
priorities such as the freedom of expression and access, data protection, security, and the fight 
against spam. The Agenda clarifies that measures undertaken to ensure Internet stability and 
security, to fight cyber-crime and spam, must respect the principles of privacy and freedom of 
expression.  The  Commission  will  continue  to  actively  follow  up  these  objectives  and,  in 
particular, to support and promote the two new processes:  

•  Regarding the IGF, the EU would welcome a focused remit. Spam and relevant security-
related  aspects  and  multilingualism  would  be  appropriate  and  substantive  topics  for  the 
first  meeting.  From  the  EU’s  perspective  these  topics  are  of  importance  to  all  countries, 
regardless  of  their  level  of  economic  development.  These  topics  were  also  suggested  by 
many other stakeholders. In view of the Tunis Summit’s emphasis on bridging the digital 
divide,  the  EU  would  also  welcome  initiatives  by  developing  countries  to  bring  forward 
additional  topics  of  particular  importance  to  them.  Moreover,  a  large  representation  of 
European stakeholders at the first IGF meeting would be a key objective.  

•  Enhanced cooperation is one of the most critical and most difficult issues of the TAIS, as 
demonstrated  by  the  time  needed  by  the  Secretary  General  to  fulfil  his  mandate.  In  the 
international  community,  there  is  a  wide  range  of  views,  from  those  which  favour  more 

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Para 34 of the TAIS. 

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direct  government  involvement  to  those  which  are  satisfied  that  governments  get  more 
space  within  existing  relevant  organisations  referring  to  the  core  functions  of  Internet 
governance.  The  EU  has  already  identified  its  views  on  the  main  areas  for  enhanced 
cooperation  in  the  COREPER  conclusions  of  9  November  2005;  in  particular,  the 
cooperation should be light and efficient. The Commission will continue working closely 
with  the  EU  Member  States  to  identify  further  concrete  proposals  to  contribute  to  the 
process. The US, on the other hand, seems to have a narrower interpretation of the Tunis 
consensus than the EU. 

3.2.2. 

Security and stability of the Internet and other ICT networks 

The security and stability of the Internet and other ICT networks is a major emphasis of the 
TAIS. Existing cooperation between governments in fields such as spam19 might benefit from 
being  dealt  with  as  part  of  enhanced  cooperation  at  the  global  level.  In  order  to  build 
confidence  and  security  in  the  use  of  ICTs,  the  TAIS  calls  for  a  global  culture  of  cyber-
security. It identifies the need for a common understanding of the issues of Internet security 
and for further cooperation to facilitate outreach, the collection and dissemination of security-
related information and the exchange of good practice among all stakeholders.  

This subject is part of the policy priorities set by i2010. In 2004, the EU decided to set up the 
European  Network  and  Information  Security  Agency  (ENISA)  to  help  ensure  the  correct 
functioning  of  the  internal  market  in  this  field.  The  Commission  considers  that  ENISA  will 
become  a  useful  centre  for  cooperation  and  the  exchange  of  information  and  commendable 
practices, both within Europe and between Europe and the rest of the world. 

Furthermore, this matter will be addressed by the Commission in a comprehensive series of 
policy documents planned for 2006, including a strategy  for increased security in electronic 
communications,  expected  to  be  followed  by  a  specific  initiative  on  spam,  spyware  and 
malware. A separate Commission communication will address cyber-crime.  

3.3. 

Follow-up mechanisms  

The  WSIS  process  has  triggered  a  broad  dialogue  between  all  stakeholders  and  focused  the 
attention of the UN system on ICTs, notably in the development context.  

3.3.1. 

Involvement of all stakeholders 

The involvement of the private sector is of prime importance to achieve the Summit goals, 
e. g. through public-private partnerships. This is in line with the dynamic participation of the 
business  community,  in  particular  the  European  ICT  industry,  in  the  WSIS  process,  both 
through input to the political debate and through a strong presence at the ICT exhibitions that 
accompanied the Summits.  

It  is  now  the  role  of  the  business  community  to  take  up  the  opportunity  to  contribute  to 
achieving  the  WSIS  goals.  Its  involvement  would  help  local  populations  in  developing 
regions to get the economic and social benefits ICTs can offer; at the same time, this would 

19 

Between 1 July and 31 December 2005, spam made up 50% of all monitored e-mail traffic. This is a 
decrease from the first semester (61%). However, this does not necessarily signify a reduction as this 
decline is likely due to the fact that network and security administrators are using IP filtering and traffic 
shaping to control spam. 

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provide new market opportunities. Hence, the implementation of the WSIS goals represents a 
win-win  situation  for  all  parties.  To  support  this,  the  Commission  will  continue  its  regular 
dialogue with the private sector.20 

A  rich  variety  of  civil  society  organisations  have  actively  participated  in  the  WSIS,  which 
has  set  new  standards  for  multistakeholder  involvement  in  UN  processes.  Input  from  civil 
society  has  been  crucial  in  relation  to  issues  such  as  vulnerable  groups  of  citizens,  the 
development dimension of ICTs, and the role of human rights in the Information Society. The 
Commission  wishes  to  maintain  the  dialogue,  as  the  follow-up  process  will  provide  further 
opportunities  for  exchange.  In  addition,  the  European  Parliament  has  established  excellent 
relationships with civil society, and it would be worthwile to pursue these. 

Finally, the WSIS process has given birth to a number of related initiatives. Local authorities 
have  launched  the  World  Summit  on  the  Information  Society  and  the  role  of  Local 
Authorities  which  took  place  in  Lyon  (2003)  and  in  Bilbao  (2005).  The  meetings  have 
highlighted the active role local governments can play in bringing the benefits of ICTs to their 
citizens.  

3.3.2. 

Institutional follow-up mechanism within the UN system 

The TAIS also outlines detailed implementation and follow-up actions by specifying that UN 
ECOSOC should oversee this process. In an annex, it gives an indicative list of UN agencies 
that  could  serve  as  moderators/facilitators  to  oversee  the  implementation  of  the  GPoA.  The 
Commission  welcomes  the  initiatives  taken  by  the  respective  UN  agencies  to  outline  their 
activities within their areas of competence. Major conferences can provide an opportunity for 
reflection on and adoption of provisions to support the WSIS implementation, as was the case 
with the World Telecommunications Development Conference (Doha, March 2006). 

In the initial discussions on the mandate for action-line moderators, the EU has expressed its 
preference for an open process. The Commission believes that the annex to the TAIS should 
be considered as a flexible list allowing for all stakeholders to step in according to their policy 
and business priorities. The Commission further shares the concerns expressed by the private 
sector  and  developing  countries  regarding  the  available  financial  resources  and  therefore 
stresses the importance of a light structure.  

The  WSIS  follow-up  will  make  Information  Society  policies  a  major  part  of  the  EU’s 
relations  with  the  UN  system.  Accordingly,  the  presence  and  active  participation  of  the  EU 
and  the  presentation  of  common  positions  should  be  maintained  especially  with  ECOSOC, 
ITU, UNESCO and UNDP. This should also be the aim in the field of Internet governance as 
regards the positions of Member States expressed in international organisations.  

4. 

CONCLUSIONS 

The  EU’s  influence  on  the  content  of  the  final  documents  was  largely  due  to  its  ability  to 
speak with one voice. The WSIS process has also shown that the priorities identified in the 
i2010 initiative are a useful tool for addressing similar policy issues outside the EU.  

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Informal consultations were held in Brussels on 24 June and 24 October 2005, 9 March 2006. 

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In  implementing  the  Geneva  and  Tunis  recommendations,  the  EU  should  now  strive  to 
capitalise  on  these  achievements.  This  can  be  done  in  EU  programmes  that  contribute  to 
fighting the digital divide, by promoting R&D cooperation with third countries or by setting 
up new partnerships in the field of ICTs. Another lesson from the WSIS is that Information 
Society policies should be mainstreamed in the broader context of economic and development 
cooperation,  because  ICTs  are  no  longer  only  an  economic  or  social  priority,  but  are 
becoming a condition for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 

The  EU  should  maintain  the  momentum  of  the  multiple  dialogues  established  with  other 
institutions  and  organisations.  These  dialogues  have  allowed  the  EU  to  present  a  coherent 
position on sensitive issues such as Internet governance, or financing the Information Society 
in  developing  countries.  The  EU  will  continue  to  play  an  active  and  positive  role  in  the 
debates  on  Internet  governance,  through  its  participation  in  the  IGF  and  the  upcoming 
enhanced cooperation.  

EN 

10 

   EN