“Network and Information security is a priority of the Hungarian ICT presidency programme. On the one hand we need to boost indispensable trust and network security at EU level by modernising ENISA. But on the other, we also need to ensure the uninterrupted operation of ENISA. We have a good chance that the Council would arrive to the end of the procedure on the temporary extension of the Agency’s mandate at the TTE Council meeting in May.” – Nyitrai underlined.

Nyitrai also met other MEPs during his visit in Strasbourg. Approaching the midterm of the presidency semester, the crucial EU legislative dossiers in telecoms were discussed with Gunnar Hökmark, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Catherine Trautmann and Malcolm Harbour.

The series of meetings confirmed that the Presidency is on the right track to fulfil its programme contributing to the implementation of the Digital Agenda.

The Minister of State emphasized that broadband development is crucial for the success of the Europe 2020 strategy aiming the improvement of competitiveness, creation of new jobs, and economic growth.

In his opening speech Zsolt Nyitrai, President of the Telecommunications Council of the European Union underlined that the Hungarian EU Presidency is working along a policy based on dialogue and consensus. This is of outmost importance in connection with the formulation of the common spectrum policy which is an essential precondition to improve Europe’s competiveness.

When available and managed and used efficiently, radio spectrum could make an important contribution to the digital Single Market, fast wireless services, economic recovery, growth, high-quality jobs and long-term EU competitiveness – pointed out Zsolt Nyitrai.

According to Nyitrai, smart spectrum policy is a fundamental precondition for the strengthening of innovation and creative industries in Europe.

Minister of State Nyitrai presented the programme of the Hungarian Presidency and its priorities related to telecommunications. According to Eric H. Loeb, Vice President of AT&T, the priorities have been properly selected as both security and spectrum are the utmost significant issues at the moment.

The parties agreed, that the need for an ever increasing mobility is going to define spectrum as an even more important and valuable asset in the future. Accordingly, Nyitrai underlined that the Hungarian Presidency is committed to give its best effort to achieve as much progress as possible on the European Spectrum Strategy.

Eric H. Loeb highlighted that spectrum coordination – both at EU and wider international level – requires special attention in order to maximize the benefits of economies of scale. Accordingly, one of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency – regarding spectrum policy – is to facilitate the elaboration of the most unified EU position to be represented by Member States at the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2012 – Nyitrai added.

In terms of broadband development Mr Loeb also mentioned, that a country’s respective strategy has to take into account national peculiarities while building on international experience. Mr Nyitrai stressed that national broadband strategies are of indeed utmost importance in implementing the Digital Agenda for Europe in the Member States.

At the end of the meeting the parties agreed to continue the dialogue and to maintain the exchange of best practices in the future as well.