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Stability Pact – eSEEurope Initiative eSEEurope Agenda for the
Development of the Information Society PREAMBLE In accordance with the Statement of Intent adopted in Ljubljana on June 4th, 2002, we, the members of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), Macedonia, and Moldova, have developed this “eSEEurope Agenda for the Development of the Information Society” Confirming the responsibility of the countries of the region for the development of a proper environment for the Information Society for all and the joint will for harmonized regional cooperative activities; Recognizing the specific role of governments and based on the positive experiences of the eEurope and eEurope+ processes towards Information Society we are determined to take concrete actions in the fields of: • Organization through establishment of an institutional
framework for Information and Communication Technology-based society Acknowledging that building of the Information Society: • Is fundamental to the rapid development of the region,
the reduction of the development gap between the region and the
European Union, as well as between the countries within the region
and with the rest of the world; We are firmly resolved to pursue the above-mentioned objectives and will look to the eSEEurope Working Group to ensure and monitor, within its responsibilities, their fulfillment, as a major step indispensable to a joint effort for building Information Society in the countries of the South Eastern European region.
Recognizing the success of the processes launched in Lisbon on 23/24 May 2000 and the positive experiences of the eEurope and eEurope+ processes towards Information Society, each signatory country hereby associates itself with the eEurope process and will take concrete actions within the constraints of their specific environment in the fields of:
Each of the preceeding steps consider concrete actions such as: 1. Adoption of policy and strategy for the development of the Information Society a. Adopt regionally coordinated guidelines for the creation of the National Information Society Policies (NISP), which will serve as the basis for all legislative and other regulatory action.
b. Adopt National Information Society Strategy and Action Plan, based on the eSEE Agenda and National Information Society Policies, with clear goals, responsibilities and timelines for implementation.
a. Begin adoption and implementation of legislation on electronic communications infrastructure and associated services in accordance with the framework of the relevant European Union Directives.
b. Adopt ongoing legislation work on electronic commerce, electronic contracts and electronic signatures in accordance with the framework of the relevant European Union Directives.
Intensify implementation and enforce legislation in the countries where legislation has been adopted. c. Sign, ratify and implement Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime.
d. Adopt and implement Intellectual Property Rights legislation for Copyright, Databases, Patents, Software and Semiconductors in accordance with the framework of the relevant European Union Directives.
e. Adopt and implement ongoing legislation for the personal data protection including protection of privacy on the Internet in accordance with the framework of the relevant European Union Directives.
b. Governments shall strengthen and empower the eSEE Working Group by providing budgetary funding for its appointed representatives and local costs of the functioning of the eSEE Working Group.
c. Encourage the establishment of the National ICT Forums. Those will be non-governmental, non-for-profit organizations that will gather all the stakeholders (government, user groups, media editors, providers, operators, manufacturers, academia, religious and research organizations, etc.) as a permanent vehicle for the exchange of information, experience, best practices, discussion of all Information Society issues in the context of NISP; a structured mechanism for providing advice to the State Bodies of Information Society for policy, strategy and regulatory issues; and to exchange experience with other National Forums.
d. Encourage creation of regional automated information systems covering goods traffic, free movement of citizens, measures against contraband and terrorism, based on the integration of national identification population registers and the creation of a network of national centers of exchange of information.
e. Establish mechanisms for regional “at cost” interconnection of electronic communications networks.
b. Exchange of information in liberalization, regulatory framework, privatization of telecom, information services sectors, electronic communications networks and next generation networks through conferences and seminars; c. Establish regional telecommunications Service Level Agreement standards and universal service obligations and goals to secure equal opportunity for development; d. Establish regional skills-based electronic labor exchange to promote regional distance employment of knowledge workers through Internet and other electronic communication mechanisms; e. Establish regional backbone for connecting National Academic and Research Networks and establish educational electronic information exchange to promote greater coordination in curriculum, examination and grading standards and joint project work among teachers and students in the region. f. Negotiate lowest tariffs in regional cross-countries sales of ICT products and services; g. Improve regulation on firm creation, operation and taxation and make legislative proposals to promote domestic and direct foreign investment in the ICT sector.
In order to implement this comprehensive Agenda: • Countries of the region commit themselves to start an implementation of this eSEEurope Agenda for the Development of the Information Society immediately. • Operational activities of the eSEE Working Group shall be performed by the Secretariat under the direction of the eSEEurope Initiative Chairperson. • eSEE Working Group shall meet quarterly to review individual progress in relation to the countries commitments under this Agenda. • eSEE Working Group shall organize an annual meeting at ministerial level for review and assessment of the progress of the required actions and to agree on required steps for on-going implementation of the present eSEE Agenda. By signing this documents we agree to be monitored by and to facilitate the task of the eSEE Working Group and participate actively in its activities. Spartak Poci Svetozar Mihajlovic Davor Butkovic Jovan Tegovski Sergiu Sitnic Branimir Gvozdenovic Dragan Domazet |