European ministers favour open specifications and open source

European ministers responsible for eGovernment policy of the European Union say the open source model could be promoted for use in eGovernment projects, they said in a statement last week in the Swedish city of Malmö.

Addressing open specifications, the ministers state: “It is important to create a level playing field where open competition can take place in order to ensure best value for money.”

The Malmö declaration was adopted on Thursday 18 November. In it the minister also expressed their attention on open standards. “We will ensure that open specifications are promoted in our national interoperability frameworks in order to lower barriers to the market.”

In a press conference on the declaration on 19 November, Siim Kallas, vice president of the European Commission, expressed concerns on the use of open source software. “We have intensive discussions within the Commission. Of course we are very much in favour of free competition, especially in this new area like information technology. But at the same time there is a question of business continuity guarantees. All these things must be addressed properly.” Continue reading at Open Source Observatory & Repository Europe.

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