Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-03-16-Speech-4-047"
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"en.20000316.2.4-047"2
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"Mr President, I want to begin by thanking Mrs Read for all the work she has put into the present report. It is wonderful that there should be such a lot of interest in this area. I believe it is important that, here in the European Parliament, we should now promote further knowledge of these complex and exciting developments and create a readiness to implement the necessary changes. Commissioner Liikanen, with his personal commitment, and the Commission’s “e-Europe” document represent a positive vision of the new economy and a growth-orientated policy which I wholeheartedly support.
It is unfortunate that certain Members see the burgeoning information society as a threat, rather than appreciate the opportunities it involves. The significance of e-commerce is difficult to overestimate. Until now, the single market has only been a reality for major companies. e-commerce means that the single market will become accessible in a quite different way to smaller companies and, above all, to individuals, customers and consumers, who can now finally benefit from the whole of the European single market. In the wake of technological change, there will not only be changes to patterns of trade, but new opportunities will also be created where the arts, entertainment and personal contacts are concerned.
In order to best support the new economy, it is important that we as politicians should not believe that we can foresee companies’ and people’s every need. We must allow the market, that is to say purchasers and vendors, to choose for themselves. In view of the way this part of society and of the economy looks, it is even more important not to engage in a fever of regulation by controlling activities in every detail. Instead, we must further deregulate markets so as to increase competition with a view to reducing prices. That is definitely the best way of making information services available to all citizens.
An important part of creating growth in the new economy is to increase the flow of venture capital for newly started-up and expanding businesses. We must increase competitiveness and the development of ideas in our part of the world, that is to say in Europe. The most important thing that heads of State and government can do in Lisbon is to begin reducing taxes on capital in their various countries, for it is these which now constitute the greatest obstacle to an increased flow of venture capital.
To the left-hand side of this House, I would say, following the present debate: try to affirm the opportunities available to people because of the information revolution. Avoid being so fearful and negative. Take Mrs Villiers’ insights on board. Adopt Mr Wijkman’s global and positive attitude, and learn from young Mrs Kauppi’s experiences. I do not think we should underestimate the problem of making the relevant adjustments, but do not bury this initiative in your old conceptual world. That would be Europe’s loss."@en1
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