Zsolt Nyitrai, current Chairman of the Telecommunications section in the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of the European Union stressed: the Hungarian Presidency supports the further promotion of welfare and competitiveness of European states and citizens on the basis of the European Digital Agenda. Moreover, new solutions are needed in spreading audiovisual content, Mr Nyitrai added.

He also pointed out that new media and new consumer habits profoundly refashioned the audiovisual market. In the online space, the average time viewing digitalised films and listening to music is far higher than the number of the interested people who could be attracted to cinemas and concerts. In order to enforce authors’ and composers’ copyrights, we need to elaborate a regulation that takes the new ways of content consumption into account while honouring authors’ special rights, Zsolt Nyitrai voiced.

He also noted that a conflict between the consumers of the audiovisual industry and authors does not lead anywhere; therefore the opportunity of a long-term dialogue and consensus must be sought.

During the programme, Minister of State for Infocommunication, Zsolt Nyitrai of the Ministry of National Development pointed out that the task to ensure safe operation for the economy and protect citizens’ interests had turned the undisturbed functioning of IT infrastructures a critical issue. In order to improve the resilience and protection of our IT systems and networks, they need to be updated at a pan-European and global level. To this end, close and efficient co-operation must be built in Europe and globally.

Representing the Hungarian Presidency, Minister of State Zsolt Nyitrai highlighted: protection of the critical infrastructure was not exclusively a security issue, it was closely connected to the European Union’s competitiveness. Cyber attacks impede the wide spread of infocommunication solutions (online payment, bank card use) in citizens’ everyday routine, and the worldwide web is exposed to an increasing number of political attacks. Europe, and thus the Hungarian Presidency, must consider digital crime prevention, and plan its responses in proportion to the current threat. Simultaneously, new challenges must be faced in the protection of European citizens’ fundamental rights to data protection and privacy.

Zsolt Nyitrai thinks that although the current situation of critical infrastructure protection has improved considerably in the European Union, network access devices are spreading much faster than security solutions. Thus users frequently put at a disadvantage against phishers. The European Union must protect its citizens’ privacy, business and economic interests, and a Europe-wide co-operation is required in order to provide up-to-date protection for IT infrastructures.

This exchange of views was a preparation for the Telecommunications Council meeting to be held at the end of May, which will have the discussion of the Draft Radio Spectrum Policy Programme, the E-Government Action Plan and the proposal on the regulation of the European Network and Information Security Agency among its agenda items. The aim of the Hungarian Presidency is to contribute to rapid and effective progress by the adoption of Council conclusions in the field of infrastructure protection.

Representing the Hungarian Presidency of the Europe Union, Minister of State for Infocommunication Zsolt Nyitrai delivered an inaugural address, stating that the number 112 was a symbolic solution for Europe’s unity, as by calling this number Europe’s citizens can get help in any Member State, and thus their general feeling of security will increase. In an emergency, every moment counts. This line saves lives, while also facilitating work for the emergency bodies.

Mr Nyitrai added: in the government programme high priority is assigned to the improvement of the services provided by the single emergency call network, and the Hungarian Government supports the related plans. After adoption of the relevant decision, in the near future Hungary can bring the 112 network to full completion in its territory. At the end of his welcome speech, the Minister of State expressed his hope that the conference would mark a milestone in the construction of the complete 112 network in Europe.

The participants of the workshop will also visit the Hungarian 112 centre, where they will be advised of handling calls from Hungary, and the work performed by Hungarian network operators.

The single European emergency number is operative in every Member State. The central dispatcher service can be called completely free of charge. The centre identifies the geographical position of the calling party with assistance from the telephone service providers, and GIS software display it on a monitor in order to facilitate and accelerate emergency relief.

Minister of State Zsolt Nyitrai announced that experts of the Ministry of National Development have started the preparation of the legislation on network and information security. “This will ensure network infrastructure protection and the security of citizens and e-government services” said Nyitrai.

One key element of the Hungarian Presidency’s two legislative dossiers is the extension of ENISA’s current mandate. “Our aim during the Hungarian Presidency semester is to extend the current mandate of the Agency for 18 months in order to avoid a legal vacuum”, said Nyitrai.

The Minister of State for Infocommunications and President of the Telecommunications Council of the European Union congratulated the newly appointed officials of ENISA, among them Ferenc Suba, the Hungarian member of the Board who was re-elected as Vice Chair at ENISA’s Board Meeting held in Budapest.

Trust and network security are among the priorities of the European ICT agenda. The legislative package elaborated by the European Commission is the backbone of the Hungarian Presidency’s programme. Hungary aims to take forward the legislative proposals on the extension of ENISA’s mandate and the modernisation of the Agency. Key European Union institutions also place great emphasis on the extension of the Agency’s mandate.

ENISA’s core activity is focused on enhancing network and information security in the European Union. The Agency gives support, advice and expertise to the EU institutions and the Member States authorities and also facilitates the exchange of best practices and cooperation between both public and private sector organisations. In collaboration with the EU institutions and the Member States authorities ENISA is working to reinforce the security of IT networks throughout Europe.