Palo: Europe’s economic growth cannot be achieved without the cooperation of science and industry

During the government's visit to Brussels today, Estonia’s Minister for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Urve Palo met with the head of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), Jerzy Buzek i.

"It is extremely important that Europe’s economic growth continues. This cannot be achieved without modernising industry through digitalisation and automation, developing science and improving cooperation. Therefore, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has more resources than ever before, a total of €35 million for training purposes, digitalisation and making scientific cooperation more efficient," said Palo.

According to the minister, Digital Europe is the top priority of the Estonian Presidency, paying particular attention to the principle of free movement of data. "Estonia considers free movement of data as the fifth freedom of the European Union alongside free movement of people, capital, goods and services. Without free movement of data, the European single market cannot function effectively. Commerce is becoming more and more digital, and the legal framework must not lose ground."

She added that Estonia wants to achieve a common understanding in the European Union on enabling the development of 5G by the end of the Presidency, and also wants to reach consensus concerning the Digital Single Market by the end of 2018.

The overall objective of ITRE is the re-industrialisation of the European Union. In doing so, the committee will focus on four key areas: developing the EU's legal and economic framework to enable innovation in the industrial sector, supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, establishing a Digital Single Market, and developing a common energy policy.

The Estonian government in its entirety has been visiting Brussels today, where a joint meeting has been held with the European Commission, followed by a plenary session. In addition to the leader and coordinator of ITRE, Minister Palo met in Brussels with the Vice-President of the European Commission Andrus Ansip. During the second half of 2017, Estonia will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time.