Permanent Secretary Gustafsson to informal Competitiveness Council in Tallinn

The informal meeting of the European Union competitiveness and telecommunications ministers will be held in Tallinn on 17–18 July 2017. The main theme of the meeting will be digital Europe and the free movement of data, which is one of the priorities of the Estonian EU Presidency.

Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner (telecommunications) and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment Jari Gustafsson (competitiveness) will represent Finland at the informal meeting.

“Digitalisation is an important theme for Finland and one our Government’s strategic priorities: the aim is to digitise all public services for citizens and businesses and to draw upon artificial intelligence and robotics in the work carried out by the authorities and in data collection. The Estonian Presidency has, in a very practical manner, drawn attention to these important and topical themes – this is something that Finland can strongly support,” says Permanent Secretary Gustafsson.

In discussions on the internal market for services, Estonia places particular emphasis on the digitalisation of national information systems and their usability across national borders.

“In various parts of Europe, the systems for an exchange of information between national authorities function well and we want to support the further development and extended use of such systems,” says Gustafsson. 

“It is at least as important to promote the use of cross-border digital public services among citizens and businesses. Technologically advanced digital public services are critical to the businesses that operate on the EU internal market,” Gustafsson continues.

In the informal Council meeting, ministers do not make decisions but they discuss topical matters on the basis of earlier decisions. Representatives of business life and other stakeholders from various sectors will take part in the discussions in Tallinn.

Inquiries:
Jari Gustafsson, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 400
Akseli Koskela, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 267