Since July 1st, 2023, Spain has taken on the rotating presidency of the EU Council of Ministers. During its mandate, the Spanish agenda places a strong emphasis on ethical principles and an inclusive approach to digitalisation. Spain aims at reaching an agreement on the AI Act, while also advancing further with the European Digital Identity Regulation (eIDAS 2), the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), and the Interoperable Europe Act, among others. Furthermore, Spain is committed to encouraging digital skills, enhancing digital training initiatives while facilitating career transitions. These efforts are particularly highlighted during the European Year of Skills 2023, underscoring the importance of digital skills and lifelong learning across Europe.
Spanish EU Council Presidency Program: Highlights with regards to Digitalisation, Digital Education, Reskilling and Upskilling
- The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. The Spanish Presidency will promote the work on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act through a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence which, in collaboration with the European Commission, will provide legislative implementation guides for the development and roll-out of AI with an ethical approach. The advances in the field of AI will be presented at the coming European AI Alliance Assembly, to be held in November in Madrid.
- The European Digital Identity Regulation (eIDAS 2). The work related to it will also be important. The aim here will be to create personal data portfolios in public administrations so that individuals can manage their personal data at EU level. Interconnectedness between digital identity systems across the EU will also be fostered.
- The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). Security in the digital world will be key. To this end, the Presidency will promote the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and will continue the work on the Cyber Solidarity Act, in addition to addressing the revision of the Cybersecurity Regulation.
- Interoperable Europe Act. Moreover, we will promote the Interoperable Europe Act to guarantee that public digital services are interoperable by design.
- The Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA). In addition to these initiatives, Spain will move forward with dossiers such as the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA), as well as possible proposals for new telecommunications regulations and new developments deriving from Gaia-X.
- Labour Mobility and New Initiative on International Remote Work. In regard to security and pensions, the Presidency will seek to strengthen the European social shield, paying particular attention to the social protection of the self-employed; the modernization of employment and income protection models; and the coordination of social security systems to favour labour mobility and European job market integration. To achieve these goals, the Presidency will continue negotiations regarding ongoing legislative dossiers and will propose an initiative on international remote work.
- Digital Skills, Education and Lifelong Learning. In the context of the digital transformation of our societies, the acquisition and development of digital skills is fundamental to citizens’ personal, social and professional growth and development. With this in mind, the Spanish Presidency will propose two Council Recommendations on improving digital skills in education and training and on the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training. The importance of these skills, and of professional training, ongoing training and lifelong learning, are underscored in the European Year of Skills 2023.