[@ 10.12.15.] On 15 December 2010 the European Commission published its eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015 including a number of proposed measures aiming the implementation of the provisions set forth in the Malmö Declaration.

“Hungary welcomes the Commission’s proposal which aims to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of state administration particularly at a time of economic crisis; the proposed measures should reinforce the internal market and contribute to open, more transparent and flexible public services” – said Zsolt Nyitrai Minister of State for Infocommunications. “The Action Plan will be high on our agenda during Hungary’s EU Presidency and we plan to adopt Conclusions of the Council at the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council on 27 May 2011.” – noted Nyitrai.

The Ministers responsible for eGovernment policy of the European Union have approved a declaration in Malmö on 18 November 2009, on the occasion of the Ministerial Conference “Teaming up for the eUnion” outlining the following eGovernment political priorities, identified in four categories in the eGovernment Action Plan:

– User empowerment: services designed around users’ needs, improvement of transparency, involvement of citizens and businesses in policy-making process;

– Internal Market: seamless services for businesses, mobility, implementation of cross-border services;

– Efficiency and effectiveness of public administrations: electronic procurement, faster
processing of applications, reduction of administrative burdens, “Green” Government;

– Putting in place pre-conditions for developing eGovernment: open specifications and interoperability, revision of the eSignature Directive, mutual recognition of e-Identification and eAuthentication.

The eGovernment Action Plan envisions the creation of a knowledge-based, sustainable, and inclusive economy as set forth in the Europe 2020 Strategy. It also supports and complements the Digital Agenda flagship initiative. The Action Plan is also closely linked to other EU legislative activities (e.g. Services Directive, eSignature Directive, procurement directives, Data Protection Directive, Directive on re-use of public sector information).