| Fact Sheet Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Washington, DC February 17, 2005 U.S.-EU Cooperation on Information TechnologyThe United States and the European Union (EU) cooperate extensively on issues related to information and communications technology. Over the past 10 years, through the Information Society Dialogue, the U.S. and the EU have addressed challenges arising from regulatory and market developments in the U.S. and Europe; discussed common concerns over regulatory, standards, and trade barriers in third country markets; and shared views on multilateral organizations and conferences such as the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Summit on the Information Society, the International Telecommunication Union, and the World Trade Organization.
The U.S. encourages liberalization of telecommunication markets worldwide and works to create open, interoperable, non-discriminatory, and demand-driven standards. The U.S.-EU dialogue is a good example of the regulatory dialogue and transparency advocated by both parties and recognizes the role of information and communications technology in promoting sustained economic growth and strengthening the U.S.-EU economic partnership. Further examples include ongoing work regarding issues such as combating junk email ("spam") and the role of public procurement in removing barriers to participation by the disabled and the elderly. The U.S. believes the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a valuable forum for finding ways to share the benefits of new technology with the rest of the world. The key is establishing telecommunications regimes that allow for competitive markets that foster the adoption of new technologies through market-driven solutions. In the second phase of the World Summit, the U.S. and EU are considering other areas for close cooperation, such as financing information and communications technology for development and Internet governance.
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