On Friday, December 5, the Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, Raimonds Čudars, is participating in the ongoing meeting of the European Union (EU) Council of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Ministers in Brussels, where it is planned to approve the EU Council conclusions on European competitiveness in the Digital Decade, as well as an exchange of views on reducing the burden on businesses in the digital field and implementing the Digital Services Act.
As progress towards the 2030 digital targets, particularly in the implementation of artificial intelligence, the digitization of small and medium-sized enterprises, and skills development, is insufficient, the EU must take more rapid action to advance the digital transformation. The conclusions emphasize the development of critical technologies and the attraction of talent, and recommend that the European Commission review the objectives of the Digital Decade policy program, making them simpler and clearer.
To strengthen the EU's competitiveness, it is essential to reduce the administrative burden and simplify digital regulation, which has become overly complex. Initiatives such as the Digital Omnibus are therefore being promoted to simplify rules and improve their application. Member States are invited to identify priority issues in this review and agree on more effective tools for implementing and monitoring regulation at EU level.
Latvia will express its support for simplifying digital regulation in the discussions, emphasizing the need for uniform terminology, effective coordination, and the creation of a common digital compliance system that would reduce fragmentation. Latvia also advocates clear guidelines and simplified requirements for the implementation of AI regulation and data policy, as well as a reduction in the reporting burden, a unified cyber incident reporting platform, and alignment with the EU Digital Identity and Business Wallets.
Minister Raimonds Čudars: "In order to fully exploit the advantages offered by digital technology and artificial intelligence, strengthen innovation in all sectors and make Latvia more competitive in the digital age, clear and simplified regulations are needed. This is precisely what the EU Digital Omnibus provides – an initiative that will help reduce the administrative burden, promote a trustworthy digital environment, and create the conditions for sustainable growth. At the same time, it is essential to ensure a safe and reliable online environment for citizens, which is why Latvia supports discussions related to strengthening the Digital Services Act, which enhances user rights protection, transparency, and security in the digital space.”
Latvia will support the EU conclusions and emphasize that ensuring the compliance of e-commerce platforms and preventing prohibited content is essential for the security of the digital environment. Latvia has identified non-compliance on third-country platforms, particularly in the sale of dangerous and unsafe goods, and therefore stresses the need for close cooperation between Member States and the European Commission, as well as strengthening cooperation with third countries. Latvia will also point out that the liability system for intermediary services set out in the Digital Services Act is sufficient and should be maintained uniformly for all platforms, ensuring fair and non-discriminatory treatment.
The meeting will also include discussions on cybersecurity issues, during which the minister will emphasize that Latvia has made strengthening cyberspace security a priority, thereby responding to the significantly increased level of cyber threats in Latvia since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In Latvia, centralized state-funded services are provided to strengthen cybersecurity and ensure cyber defense. From Latvia's perspective, it is important to continue testing cyber crisis management at the EU level, including cooperation between the civilian and military sectors, as well as between the EU and NATO.
During the visit, the minister will also meet with Ilze Juhansone, Secretary-General of the European Commission, to discuss priorities in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, particularly for the Eastern border region. The discussions will emphasize the need for a careful, well-founded, and regionally development-oriented approach in setting Interreg funding. Additional financing is needed for targeted support to strengthen socio-economic resilience, security, and cross-border cooperation.