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European Commission Pushes E-Health
by Winter Casey
The European Commission has called on the government and private sector to step up its use of information and communication technologies for health care.
Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said in a statement that "e-health can empower patients and improve health care. Even more importantly, by reducing the scope for medical errors, it can save lives."
European health ministers and IT experts are meeting this week to discuss steps to help spur the growth of electronic health care.
"We need a partnership between health ministers, technology providers, patient groups and health [non-governmental organizations] to release the full potential of e-health in Europe," Kyprianou said. This week's meeting "is a step towards achieving that."
Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding also has touted the benefits of e-health.
In other news, Reding launched a multi-annual, multi-stakeholder drive for electronic learning in Europe last week at a conference held in Brussels.
"This conference inaugurates a concerted drive to upgrade Europe's information and communication technology skills -- an upgrade that is crucial to the success of its revitalized growth and jobs strategy," Reding said in a statement.
The commissioner said greater attention to digital learning is increasingly necessary to "to sustain Europe's cultural creativity and economic competitiveness."
Meanwhile, the European Commission has cleared the merger of the international telecom companies Belgacom and Swisscom.
EU Moves Toward Digital Broadcasting
The European Commission Tuesday made a push for a faster transition to digital broadcasting. The commission said it would like to see the phase out of traditional analog broadcasting in early 2012. The transition will free up spectrum that can be used for new broadcasting and mobile telephony services.
"By recommending 2012 as [the] EU deadline for the digital switch-off, I would like to give a political signal to market participants and customers alike that digital TV will soon be a reality," Reding said in a press release. "The sooner we complete [the] switchover, the sooner our citizens and businesses will benefit."
Most EU member states already have set 2010 as their switch-off date, according to Reding. In addition, six other countries have given 2012 as the latest date.
Meanwhile, the European Commission said Tuesday that the EU's universal service rules do not require new laws governing mobile and high-speed Internet services at this time. The directive, which has been in place since 2002, was created to help ensure that electronic communications services remain affordable and meet consumer needs.
China, Uruguayan Officials Meet On Trade, Investment
A Chinese top national adviser, Jia Qinglin, and Rodolfo Gustavo Nin Noboa, Uruguayan vice president and president of the National Congress, met in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo Thursday to discuss bilateral relations.
Jia said the two countries should strengthen their trade and investment ties and touted the countries' exchanges in science and technology, the People's Daily Online reports. The Uruguayan leader said China is the country's fourth largest trading partner.
In other news, Xinhua reports that Li Guojie, head of the Computer Technology Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the next 15 years will be an important time for the development of China's information industry.
"This is a God-given chance for Chinese information industry to catch up with leaders of the industry," Li said at a forum this week on China's sustainable development.
Meanwhile, AP reports that Mexican Assistant Interior Secretary Geronimo Gutierrez said Monday that the country "absolutely and emphatically" rejects the militarization of the U.S.-Mexican border as suggested by a recent U.S. congressional report. Instead, Gutierrez said security concerns should be approached with cooperation, confidence and technology.
Indian Leader Makes First Visit To Moscow Since Soviet Collapse
Indian President Abdul Kalam met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss trade and high-tech ties, Agence France Presse reports. The meeting marks the first time an Indian head of state has traveled to Moscow since the Soviet Union's collapse.
"Russia and India are unique nations," Kalam said. "In difficult times for India and happy times for India, you are our close friend." He also discussed the countries' cooperation in science, defense, technology and trade areas.
"I'm absolutely sure this visit will give another major boost to the development of our cooperation," Putin said. "India is one of the key partners of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region."
In other news, Reuters reports that Russians will be charged for making phone calls from their home phones to cell phones beginning on July 1. The service is currently free.
Australian And Indian Officials Move On Trade Deals
Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath are scheduled to meet in July to work on a trade and economic framework for the two countries, Australian IT reports. The move toward a possible free trade agreement between the two countries will focus largely on the technology sector.
"Many Australian companies have explored the Indian market and some of them have set up a presence in India recognizing complementarily ... skill and cost structures," Vaile said last week.
Vaile also said Indian firms have started to invest in Australia. "Australian companies have the skills in high-tech and value-added ICT solutions to complement the impressive software development and implementation skills of Indian companies," he said.
Also in Australia, Agence France Presse reports that the first round of free trade agreement talks in history between China and Australia began this week with Wu Bangguo, chairman of China's National People's Congress touting the countries' relations.
"China and Australia enjoy unprecedented interaction and cooperation in science, technology, education, culture, tourism and other fields and frequent contacts between the two peoples," Bangguo said.
Free trade talks "will help expand bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and services and provide even greater horizon for our economic partnership," he said.
Australian trade unions have been critical of a potential trade pact between China and Australia.
Japan To Consider New Law To Combat Piracy
The Japanese government is currently considering a new law that would make it mandatory for Internet merchants to provide contact information, the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reports. According to government sources, the law, which is an effort to combat piracy, is expected to be enacted this year.
The law is specifically targeted at those who sell products on online auction sites. Under the proposed law, sellers would be required to provide Web site operators with their name, address and contact information. If sellers post fake products online as determined by sellers of the genuine products, Internet auction operators would be required to remove the counterfeit products from the site. The operators also would be asked to provide the contact information of the illegal seller.
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