MEPs endorse tech sovereignty plan, urge cancellation of US travel restrictions

MEPs call for substantial investments and regulatory reforms to foster innovation and address Europe’s dependency on foreign technologies.

The text adopted on Thursday calls for a comprehensive European industrial policy for the digital ecosystem, covering standardisation, R&D, market access, investment, international cooperation and trade. MEPs advocate the development of a risk assessment framework to monitor and address dependencies in the digital value chain.

In an amendment added to the text, Parliament reaffirms that the EU must remain sovereign in enforcing its laws, especially in the digital field, and firmly condemns and calls for the cancellation of the travel bans imposed by the United States on civil society leaders Imran Ahmed, Clare Melford, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, Josephine Ballon, as well as the travel ban imposed by the United States on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton. MEPs call on the Commission and the Member States to “deliver a firm response to these unprecedented attacks”.

MEPs also denounce the support provided by certain political parties which repeat narratives originating from outside the EU and weaken the EU’s digital legislation and democratic values.

The report was adopted with 471 votes to 68, with 71 abstentions. It incorporates the recommendations adopted in June in the Industry, Research and Energy committee. The rapporteur on the file is Sarah Knafo (ESN, FR).

Debates on the Cybersecurity and Digital networks Acts

On Tuesday, Parliament debated the new Cybersecurity Act legislation tabled by the European Commission. MEPs also debated the new Digital networks Act proposed on Wednesday. MEPs will initiate work on these files under the ordinary legislative procedure.