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Today, the United States and the European Union held the thirteenth U.S.EU Information Society Dialogue in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss issues related to information and communication technology (ICT) and the digital economy.

In this dialogue, participants held open and vibrant discussions on topics including the EU Digital Single Market; Support for Innovation, Web-Entrepreneurship, and Digital Skills; Open Internet; the Data-Driven Economy; and Internet Governance. The dialogue was complemented by opportunities for engagement with the private sector, including the Digital Economy Workshop hosted by the Trans-Atlantic Business Council and a reception hosted by the Computers and Communications Industry Association.

(1) The EU Digital Single Market

The EU delegation shared the current thinking on the digital single market (DSM) in the EU. The DSM Strategy will be built on three pillars: 1) better access for consumers and businesses to online goods and services across Europe; 2) creating the right conditions for digital networks and services to flourish; and 3) maximizing the growth potential of the European digital economy. Whereas the United States is a digital single market in itself, the European Union has not reached its potential in today's digital era.

Participants discussed the potential global importance of the DSM. The sides agreed that the DSM would be an historic opportunity for European industry and consumers as well as U.S. businesses. They agreed that an open exchange with stakeholders is critical to building consensus and could address the concerns that U.S. industry has expressed. The participants agreed to structured channels to continue exchanging views on the digital economy and the DSM proposal in the run-up to its presentation in May 2015 and beyond.

(2) Support for Innovation, Web-Entrepreneurship, and Digital Skills

The EU delegation presented its initiative, Startup Europe, and how it could be promoted in the United States. The participants had an exchange of views on digital skills in Europe and the United States in order to see how both sides can learn from previous experience. The U.S. participants discussed broadband initiatives that support online innovation, and highlighted programs throughout the U.S. Government that support entrepreneurship. Participants discussed cooperation mechanisms for supporting startups and innovation.

(3) Open Internet

The U.S. delegation shared information about the recently adopted Open Internet Order by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), discussed key legal and policy challenges surrounding Open Internet protections and how to ensure that the Internet remains open around the world. The EU discussed the recently introduced legislation on the telecom single market that includes principles very similar to those that the FCC adopted. The participants agreed that the underlying approach and intent in safeguarding the Open Internet is the same in both cases, and agreed to enhance information sharing on open Internet related and other communications policy issues of mutual interest.

(4) The Data-Driven Economy

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Press Releases: Joint Press Statement for the 2015 U.S.-European Union Information Society Dialogue

European Union rules banning state aid to businesses should not apply to guarantees issued to boost investment under the three-year EU investment scheme, some of the key contributors to the plan said yesterday (13 April).

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the EU's main national promotional banks, including Germany's KfW and France's Caisse des Dpts, expressed their view in a letter to be addressed to the European Commission.

The letter said public guarantees should be available below market prices to make the investment plan of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker work, said Franco Bassanini, head of Italy's promotional bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.

"Were these guarantees considered as illegal state aid, we can forget about the Juncker plan," Bassanini told journalists, arguing that the riskier projects funded with the plan needed favourable treatment or would be shunned by investors.

Jyrki Katainen, the Commissioner in charge of the plan, said yesterday that talks were ongoing to clarify how state aid rules would apply to the Juncker Plan, an investment scheme intended to use leverage to generate 315 billion of investment in Europe over three years.

National promotional banks of Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Luxembourg, have said they would be ready to contribute billions of euros to projects financed by the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI), the vehicle to be set up by the Juncker Plan, but only for projects in their own countries.

The European Commission would have preferred national contributions to go directly into the EFSI's coffers because that would increase the leverage effect of the fund, which has capital of 21 billion.

But contributions from national promotional banks are still important for the success of the plan, because they will decrease the risk for private actors when they invest in EFSI-sponsored projects, such as airports or broadband networks.

The banks fear that with state guarantees priced at market levels and subject to strict state aid rules, risks for private investors will be too high, reducing the appetite for investments.

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Bankers want Juncker Plan cleared of state aid rules

Russia: Tsipras pledges support for Russia, blasts EU #39;s "dead end" sanctions
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras spoke of his desire to bridge the gap between the European Union #39;s dead end sanctions and Russia at a meeting with State Duma Chairman Sergei...

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Russia: Tsipras pledges support for Russia, blasts EU's "dead end" sanctions - Video

Tallest building in both United Kingdom and European Union
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A new survey reveals that 100% of business leaders surveyed in Ireland believe that the UK should stay in the European Union, while 100% also believe that there would be a negative effect if the UK left the EU.

Overall, 86% of business leaders in Europe think the UK should stay in the European Union, with 11% saying the UK should leave.

The survey, conducted by the European Business Awards sponsored by RSM, involved business leaders from 32 countries in Europe.

It found that 84% of European business leaders believe their country's membership of the European Union has a positive impact on their business, while 83% of them believe it has a positive impact on their country.

The main reasons given in support of the EU were the economic advantages brought by membership, the competitive position a united Europe has against China, Russia and the US, and the importance of integration, stability and unity in the current climate.

"This survey demonstrates the importance Irish business leaders put on the UK remaining part of the EU with 100% of them agreeing they think the UK should stay in the EU. As the UKs closest neighbour in Europe it reinforces the strong bilateral relationship that exists between the UK and Ireland," commented Aidan Scollard, Partner at RSM Farrell Grant Sparks.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of The European Business Awards, said the survey results show that for the European business community the case for the EU is clear; with the benefits far outweighing the costs.

"From a business perspective, people see the value in the commercial opportunities; from a wider perspective, stability and integration are key," he said.

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Business leaders want UK to stay in European Union