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"The influence of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, on our economy and society is growing rapidly.

 We are reaching a point where ICT will have a decisive impact on all aspects of our economy and society. This is both a positive and a necessary development", states Åsa Torstensson, Swedish Minister for Communications during the high level meeting Visby Agenda: Creating impact for an eUnion 2015 that is being held 9-10 NovemberMinister Åsa Torstensson also emphasises that our future growth and prosperity will lie in knowledge-intensive products and services and that  ICT is the lifeblood of the knowledge society.

"Therefore we must make sure that ICT takes its rightful place at the centre of the post-Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. This is certainly one of the key points we hope to underline when ICT ministers meet in December to provide input into the EU's future ICT strategy."

Internal digital market
Commissioner Viviane Reding underlines the importance of an internal market for the digital economy in Europe and that is what the Visby declaration is heading for, she says. Commissioner Reding furthermore highlights the importance of fibre, high speed networks all over Europe , both fixed and mobile and that is essential that  this infrastructure and services are available to all citizens in Europe. To solve legal and technical problems presented by transnational online services, Commissioner Reding proposes a solution and refers to Minister Torstensson's earlier comments.

"A single EU copyright title will be very important to put into practice. As of 1 December the new Lisbon treaty will be in place and article 118 of the Lisbon Treaty now permits us to do this."