Thessaloniki, 30 June 2001 Michael Niebel European Commission, DG Information Society e-Government: A SE Europe priority

e-Governmente-Government A necessity, not a matter of choice!

e-Governmente-Government  Governance and Democracy  Enhancing citizen’s participation in public matters  Bringing Governments closer to the citizen  Supporting EU enlargement/integration/cohesion  Competitiveness  Creating room for entrepreneurship  Reducing the administrative load  Cutting cost What is at stake?

e-Governmente-Government  Internet penetration varies largely within EU and even more in the Balkans...  National activities on e-Government  Targets for electronic public services (improving access, portals, one stop shopping)  Modernising Government (front office + back office)  Re-thinking rules for access and exploitation  Performance-related indicators  … but progress is uneven Where do we stand? Turning Ambitions into reality...

What is the EU doing?  Public data on-line  Generalised electronic access to main basic public services  Simplified on-line administrative procedures for business  Use of e-Government best practice  Use of electronic signatures Key targets for e-Government For the candidate countries

What is the EU doing?  Transparent co-ordination through benchmarking  Build on national initiatives and ideas  Best practices lead the way How to move forward: e-Government Action Plan

What is the EU doing?  R&D actions  IST Programme: 54 M EUR over 5 years  eContent Programme  Public sector information on global networks  EUMEDIS Programme  Healthcare and technologies for tourism  Stability Pact Initiative - eSEE Catalysing the potential!

An e-Government Philosophy  Interactive  enhancing effective government and democracy  joining-up services to support one-stop interface  Inclusive  preventing digital divide, support special needs  promote public Internet & multimedia access points  Entrepreneurial  supplying online transactions for business  supporting public/private partnerships  Multilingual/Multicultural  promoting cross-border use of services & information  encouraging services in more than one language Key requirements

Steps for e-Government General Information General Information Interactive Services Interactive Services Financial Transactions Financial Transactions eDemocracy? Time Open platformseSignaturesSecurity Complexity

Steps for e-Government General Information General Information Interactive Services Interactive Services Financial Transactions Financial Transactions eDemocracy? Time Open platformseSignaturesSecurity Complexity Citizen daily life Health care General administrative Job search Public libraries Business Policies & Legislation Business Finances Entrepreneurship Citizen daily life Health care General administrative Job search Public libraries Business Policies & Legislation Business Finances Entrepreneurship

Steps for e-Government General Information General Information Interactive Services Interactive Services Financial Transactions Financial Transactions eDemocracy? Time Open platformseSignaturesSecurity Complexity Certificates Application forms Change of address Appointments Land Registry Company registration VAT Statutory Filing Certificates Application forms Change of address Appointments Land Registry Company registration VAT Statutory Filing

Steps for e-Government General Information General Information Interactive Services Interactive Services Financial Transactions Financial Transactions eDemocracy? Time Open platformseSignaturesSecurity Complexity Income tax Services & Fines Social security Corporation Tax VAT Social Contributions eProcurement Income tax Services & Fines Social security Corporation Tax VAT Social Contributions eProcurement

Steps for e-Government General Information General Information Interactive Services Interactive Services Financial Transactions Financial Transactions eDemocracy? Time Open platformseSignaturesSecurity Complexity eDebate eVoting eDebate eVoting

Ideas for e-Government projects in the Balkans  Information Society Dialogue Forum for SEE  ICT Awareness Events  Best Practices - Trials  Electronic tracking of mailbags  Electronic tracking of food/cattle  Interactive e-Health Services  Other?