MEPs Advocate for Stronger EU Digital Ecosystem and Sovereignty
The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee has adopted a report urging substantial investments and regulatory reforms to strengthen the EU’s digital ecosystem and reduce reliance on foreign technologies. The report advocates for a comprehensive industrial policy covering standardisation, research and development, market access, investment, and international cooperation. It also calls for a risk assessment framework to monitor and address dependencies within the digital value chain.
A key recommendation is the creation of a European Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), encompassing technologies such as semiconductors, connectivity, cloud infrastructure, software, data, and artificial intelligence. The committee emphasizes the need for a foundational DPI layer and adequate funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, with investment priorities including high-performance computing, quantum computing, connectivity, cloud, AI ecosystems, and digital libraries.
The report underscores the strategic importance of critical digital infrastructure—cables, cellular towers, satellites, data centers, and spectrum—which should remain under European jurisdiction and comply with EU law. MEPs urge the Commission to propose legislation addressing risks from high-risk vendors originating from third countries. Support is expressed for forthcoming initiatives like the Digital Networks Act and the Cloud and AI Development Act, alongside calls to enhance public-private investment tools, facilitate funding for start-ups and scale-ups, and leverage public procurement for open, interoperable solutions.
Rapporteur Sarah Knafo highlights the need to remove barriers to private investment, deregulate, and improve data hosting security to shield Europe from foreign interventions. She stresses relocating sensitive data hosting within Europe, supporting businesses through targeted public procurement, and achieving competitive electricity prices by eliminating anti-nuclear rules. The report, adopted with strong committee support, will be presented for a plenary vote in the European Parliament.
