Damianou participates in informal tele­communications ministers meeting in Belgium

Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, participated in the Informal meeting of EU tele­communications ministers in Belgium, where he expressed the country’s support in the effort to combat disinformation and strengthen cyberspace security, by strengthening the ability of users to recognise misleading content.

According to an announcement by PIO, the meeting was held on 11-12 April in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

At the heart of the discussions, it notes, was the need to strengthen cyber security, with an emphasis on the protection and resilience of digital critical infrastructures, as well as the formation of a competitive and sustainable single European market, where the fundamental rights of citizens are protected.

In his intervention, it said, the Deputy Minister “expressed Cyprus' support in the effort to combat disinformation and strengthen cyber security, by strengthening the ability of users to recognise misleading content as well as strengthening the responsibility and accountability of the various digital platforms and digital service providers”. “Ensuring the fundamental rights of citizens is a non-negotiable obligation of all, for the creation of a safe, open and beneficial digital future for all Europeans”, said the Deputy Minister, adding that investment in research and innovation is considered particularly important for this, it said.

Damianou also noted that, by making use of innovative technologies, “we can significantly strengthen the effort to transition to a greener and more sustainable digital future, not only in terms of the telecommunications sector, but all sectors, such as energy, transport and health”.

During the Summit, it adds, the Ministers signed the “Louvain-la-Neuve Declaration”, which expresses the common intention of the 27 member states to ensure the protection of citizens on the internet and entrusts the European Commission with creating optional tools in the form of standardised signage that will enable both users and platforms to be informed or to provide information about the veracity of the profiles with which we interact in the digital world.

(Source: CNA)