The policy of Belgium within the EU

In brief

In February 2020, the European Commission launched the European Digital Policy, with a series of thematic and legislative initiatives in the digital field. The ongoing implementation, enforcement and governance of the European legislative framework on digital affairs, encouraging new (cutting-edge) digital technologies and preparing Europe's telecommunications infrastructure for the future will now form the areas of focus of the new European Commission 2024-2029.

The EU is therefore able to rely on a robust and coherent legal framework, and also upon ambitious funding programmes to continue the roll-out of the digital transition. The impact and the investments that will be necessary to enable companies to comply with the (new) European rules and requirements should not be underestimated in this regard. Europe has equipped itself with the tools to further develop its digital open strategic autonomy and to convey it on an international level in a way that is based at all times on European values that put people first. Digital themes are also becoming increasingly important in the EU's international relations with third countries, including in international forums such as the UN, but also within the EU's trade relations.

The forthcoming European Commission will focus strongly on the further development and uptake of artificial intelligence (AI) by our companies and within our society and will launch initiatives in areas such as research into AI and high-performance computers for AI. Facilitating advances in quantum technology, semi-conductors and chips, cloud computing and our data economy are also high on its list of priorities. To ensure that all of these digital applications and data are made available to users quickly, safely and on a large scale, an interoperable and future-oriented telecom infrastructure will be essential. For that reason, the new European Commission will make it its task to encourage cybersecurity and investments in telecommunications infrastructure and to complete the single market.

 
Objectives for Belgium

Belgium subscribes to the importance of the digital strategy that involves the development of new technologies, a future-oriented telecommunications infrastructure and a functioning single digital market, all of which with respect for European values and a uniquely European approach. While pursuing these concepts, Belgium's eye will always be directed towards the role and the place of SMEs within the digital ecosystem. SMEs are crucial to the country's economy, and Belgium supports their efforts to become more digital and their need for adequate funding (Digital Europe Programme (DEP), Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), MFF, Horizon Europe). Belgium also upholds respect for privacy, while addressing the need for e-skills (by upskilling/reskilling) and maintaining a good balance between costs and benefits (cybersecurity).

Belgium also supports the promotion and development of a stable framework for data infrastructure and does what it can in order to secure and harmonise the digital market. The goal is to further Europe's competitiveness while reducing market fragmentation. The principles of interoperability, connectivity and transferability are critical to this infrastructure, as is incorporating ethical rules that are consistent with data protection.

As Belgium is in favour of further digitalisation, it regularly backs initiatives generated by other Member States that share the same priorities that Belgium itself upholds. Belgium therefore intends to defend Belgian interests by cooperating with other EU Member States. As such, Belgium's outlook towards the European project remains a positive one.