One of the main priorities of the Estonian presidency is to enhance the EU's digital revolution.
We must make the most of technological progress and ensure that modern information society services are available to all citizens across the member states. This will help to create highly qualified jobs, improve wellbeing and promote economic growth.
It is extremely important to make quick progress on the data protection package during this presidency, as it is a significant part of developing the digital single market. I also hope that during this mandate, Council will assess the ePrivacy regulation and give its position on the matter before the end of the year.
Without up-to-date and effective data protection legislation, the free flow of data is impossible. It is our responsibility to ensure that as many files as possible dealing with digital movement are seen through.
Regarding the free flow of data, a particularly important topic for the Estonian Council presidency is advancing eHealth. The safe transmission of personal health data is a vital precondition to guarantee continuity of healthcare across the EU, and hopefully our presidency will be able to highlight the significance of this matter.
Estonia, a country that has set a great example of an innovative eGovernance, will get the chance to share its knowledge and expertise with the other member states, and I am hopeful that we will help make the digital single market an even closer reality for the EU.