European Commission (EC) Vice-President Siim Kallas is currently taking a three-day visit to Portugal to address the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in achieving the goals of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs in Europe.
During his visit, Commissoiner Kallas has reiterated the importance of the role of ICTs for the private and public sectors. Commissioner Kallas held a meeting with European ministers of ICT and education to discuss issues of transparency, security and interoperability with regard to e-government practices.
Commissioner Kallas has reaffirmed the EC's commitment to ICTs by unveiling its strategic framework for 2006-2010, which calls for the EC to step up its e-government policies to meet its standards for the rest of the region. The EC sees ICT as an indispensable method for making information accessible. 'E-administration is about communicating with citizens through all possible channels,' Commissioner Hellas said, 'so as to ensure inclusion and to provide services to simplify and improve their own lives.'
