U.S. and the EU officials presented an ambitious shared agreement for cooperation on Internet policy at a well-attended stakeholder event hosted by CCIA in Brussels on April 14.
CCIA warmly welcomes this statement which addresses many of our proposals to enhance trust and boost digital growth. We applaud the EU and U.S.’ shared commitment to the open Internet, free flow of information, freedom of expression, and the multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance. We also welcome the commitment to consult with our industry as the EU reforms its digital single market in the context of efforts to strengthen our transatlantic digital marketplace.
Specifically, the EU-U.S. statement confirmed the joint commitment to a “robust trans-Atlantic digital marketplace that sparks innovation, fuels economic growth, and allows for the freedom of expression and the free flow of information across borders” which is “of fundamental importance to the modern global economy.”
Internet tools “create equal opportunities for men and women by reducing poverty, promoting and protecting fundamental rights, and empowering individuals and groups by connecting them to unlimited opportunity.”
The EU and the U.S. will fight to “ensure that the Internet remains open around the world” while “safeguarding the Open Internet” (net neutrality) at home.
The statement underscores “the importance of an inclusive, open, and multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance.” The latter “is essential to preserving the free and open Internet, and further developing the global economy.”
Officials affirmed their support for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and called for extending the mandate for the IGF going forward.”
The statement also expressed support for the to transition of stewardship of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions to the global multi-stakeholder community.
The statement “welcome stakeholder input and participation [in] the UN General Assembly review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in December.”
The statement also “recognized the importance of Big Data” as well as “Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.”
Finally, the joint statement confirmed that the EU’s upcoming Digital Single Market reform should be seen as an opportunity for European and U.S. businesses and that “open exchange with stakeholders is critical to building consensus.”
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