Activities of Krišjānis KARIŅŠ related to 2015/2147(INI)
Plenary speeches (3)
Towards a Digital Single Market Act (debate) LV
Towards a Digital Single Market Act (debate) LV
Towards a Digital Single Market Act (A8-0371/2015 - Kaja Kallas, Evelyne Gebhardt) LV
Amendments (36)
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the fact that functioning of digital economy with maximum benefits and high added value for the consumers and the businesses across the EU can be achieved only if current legal fragmentation is overcome; emphasizes that current differences in rules, such as VAT rules applicable to the sale of goods and services, in the EU hamper cross- border sales, therefore, reducing the potential economic growth and competitiveness, which could be reached if the EU would not have barriers that exist today;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that, in order to achieve economic convergence through European regions, the digital divide must to be reduced substantially and access to the internet guaranteed to all European citizens and companies; stresses that internet access for all can be assured only with the right infrastructure in place; therefore, encourages further public and private investment in infrastructure; welcomes the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)’s intended efforts in this area;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that, for the digital economy to flourish, access to capital for both new and existing enterprises must be improved; welcomes the work of the Commission on the Capital Markets Union; encourages further legislative harmonisationa key pillar of the Investment Plan, aiming to tackle investment shortages head-on by in acreas such as crowd-funding and digital currenciesing and diversifying the alternative funding sources for Europe's businesses and long-term projects including capital markets, venture capital and crowd- funding;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that a cross-borddigitalisation of cer taxation system is needed to create a true European Single Market and to prevent the tax avoidance practices used by several digital platforms, as highlighted by recent inquiries; calls on the Commission to support extending the public country-by-country reporting regime on taxes for multinational companies to all sectorsin aspects in the field of taxation across the EU could help to counter tax avoidance practices by capturing tax-related data in more efficient manner while also abiding the principle of subsidiarity and data privacy; stresses the fact that on 26th of June, 2017 an EU wide register for beneficial ownership has to be operational, aiding in tracking down possible tax avoidance and profit shifting; emphasises the significance of digitalisation in the process of setting up the register of beneficial ownership;
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Stresses that dismantling barriers to the cross-border development of e- commerce is of the utmost importance due to the fact that cross-border parcel delivery and VAT rules applicable to the sale of goods and services – which, due to their fragmentation and a lack of transparency, hamper cross-border e- commerce; believes that the interoperability of systems, and the use of common standards are needed to ensure in order to build a truly inclusive Digital Single Market;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports the Commission’'s decision to review internet platformslaunch a public debate with two consultations on geo-blocking and on platforms, online intermediaries, data, cloud computing and the collaborative economy; encourages the Commission to create a legislativn appropriate framework ensuring the development of innovative ideas, protection of work standards and compliance with existing fiscal rules and creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital networks and innovative services to flourish; and maximise the growth potential of the digital economy;
Amendment 98 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that the development of a European digital economy requires a sufficient level of competition and plurality of service providers, and underlines that the presence of network effects allows for the creation of semi-potentially monopolistic positions; supports the Commission’'s efforts in preventing and punishing abuses; encourages the Commission to remove barriers to entry in the field of digital economy in sectors where few players,market abuses and upholding consumers' interests; according to the Commission’'s competition standards, are dominant; supports actions for stronger interoperability and portability across all digital sectors as a further way of opening the market to competition.;
Amendment 108 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that a thorough analysis of different types of 'Sharing Economy' platforms should be carried out, with a view to ensuring that relevant legislation allows the development of these services to enable new forms of consumption and production, while at the same time, guaranteeing high levels of consumer protection;
Amendment 116 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Stresses that the Commission must continue to enforce antitrust rules, particularly the Regulation on Vertical Restraints and the accompanying guidelines, to ensure that the special rules on selective distribution are not used to restrict the availability of products via online commerce channels and to prevent competition to the detriment of consumers;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas a high and consistent level of consumer protection and satisfaction across all digital services necessarily entails choice, flexibility, information and trust in a secure online environment with high-level of data protection;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the timely roll-out of future communication networks in Europe, such as 5G will depend on the creation of an investment-conducive environment;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication on ‘A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe’; believes that the horizontal approach taken needs to be strengthened in its implementation as the digital sectordrivers affects every dimension of society and the economy;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that in order for Europe to fully seize the potential for growth, jobs and global competitiveness in all sectors of the economy of new developments or technologies such as Cloud Computing, 5G development, Big Data or the Internet of Things, the completion of the Digital Single Market must be a priority;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that better regulation should help to examine policy through a digital lens and facilitate the adaptation of legislation and enforcement frameworks in the light of new technologies and new business models to prevent fragmentation of the single market; stresses however that it is essential to establish whether the new challenges cannot be effectively tackled with the use of existing legislation;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that users’ trust in digital services is vital to innovation and growth in the digital economy and that reinforcing that trust, i.e. through data protection and security standards, should be at the basis of both public policy and business models;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the urgent need for the Commission and Member States to promote a more dynamic economy for innovation to flourish and for companies to scale up, through the development of e- government, a modernised regulatory frameworkand non-regulatory framework for the digital economy that is fit for investments in enhanced digital infrastructures fit for the emergence and scale- up of innovative businesses, and a long term investment strategy into boost digital infrastructure, skills, research and innovation;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Member States, to further develop initiatives to boost entrepreneurship that range from changing the mind-set on how success is defined to promoting an entrepreneurial and innovation culture; believes, in addition, that the diversity and specific attributes of the different national innovation hubs could be turned into a real competitive advantage for the EU on the global market if they are effectively interconnected;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission to put emphasis on the implementation of the European Commission's Better Regulation program so that all the legislative initiatives undertaken in the framework of the strategy for a digital single market meet the requirements of the program. This is particularly important in the digital environment, where excessive regulations cannot go hand in hand with innovation and where dynamic changes of the environment require efficient and technologically neutral solutions, able to survive the test of time;
Amendment 378 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative to improve the legal protection of consumers as regards intangible digital content; points out that while consumers buying tangible digital content are protected by consumer protection laws, consumer rights when buying intangible digital content remain largely unregulated; agrees that consumers should enjoy a comparable level of protection regardless of whether they purchase digital content online or offline and whether they purchase tangible or intangible goods, products or content;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative to improve the legal protection of consumers as regards intangible digital content; points out that while consumers buying tangible digital content are protected by consumer protection laws, consumer rights when buying intangible digital content remain largely unregulated and at times very unclear; agrees that consumers should enjoy a comparable level of protection regardless of whether they purchase digital content online or offline;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that a full harmonisation ofEmphasises that developing the rules and the legal framework govconcerning online sales irrespective of whether they are cross- border or domestic sales, while maintaining the coherence of online and offline rules regarding legal remedies, constitutes the most practical and proportionate approachshould be done in a technology neutral manner, which allows consumers and businesses to choose the appropriate technology for each purpose; welcomes the efforts to boost e-commerce irrespective whether cross-border or domestic sales;
Amendment 439 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that there is a risk that the Commission’s proposals entail a growing disparity between the applicable legal standards for offline and online purchases; believes that online and offline sales should be treated equally and that the consumer protection framework should be updated for the digital age to ensure a level playing field for consumers and for businesses;
Amendment 459 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is sceptical about the legal nature ofBelieves that the model contracts regarding online sales of tangible goods in the absence of statutory regulationcould be one of the tools to spread best practices;
Amendment 644 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that incentivising private investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks is a requirement for any digital progress, with competition remaining the main driver of infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and choices for consumers; considers that little evidence exists, in the still fragmented European telecommunications market,existence of a link between consolidation of operators and increased investment in networks should be carefully assessed by policymakers;
Amendment 656 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that incentivising private investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks, especially in rural and remote areas, is a requirement for any digital progress, with competition remaining the main driver of infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and choices for consumers; considers that little evidence exists, in the still fragmented European telecommunications market, of a link between consolidation of operators and increased investment in networks;
Amendment 662 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Emphasises that incentivising private investments in fast and ultra-fast communication networks is a requirement for any digital progress, with competition remaining the main driver of infrastructure investments, innovation, affordable prices and choices for consumers and businesses; considers that little evidence exists, in the still fragmented European telecommunications market, of a link between consolidation of operators and increased investment in networks;
Amendment 709 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that since the development of over-the-top services has increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, modernisation of the telecommunication framework should not lead to more regulatory burdens, but should drive innovation and fair competition; Underlines that in order to guarantee equal treatment, similar services should be treated in a similar way, making consumers confident that a service is bound by the same consumer, security and privacy guarantees regardless of the nature of the provider;
Amendment 710 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that sincwhile the development of over-the-top and other digital services hasve increased demand and competition to the benefit of consumers, modernisation of the telecommunication framework shouldconsumer protection standards are fragmented. Therefore modernisation of the telecommunication framework should aim at consistent level of consumer rights across digital industry, not lead to more regulatory burdens, but shouland drive innovation and fair competition across digital markets;
Amendment 728 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Asks the Commission to elaborate a comprehensive framework for all digital services regardless of the provider or the way by which they are provided to ensure equal consumer protection and enable fair competition for all digital actors;
Amendment 773 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that uniform enforcement of the Connected Continent package, including the end of roaming surcharges and the net neutrality principle, requirstresses the establishmentneed of a single and neutral European telecommunications regulator and, in this regard, emphasizes the work done by The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) in the field of telecommunications;
Amendment 842 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Emphasises that in order to foster innovation and competitiveness consumers must be able to access their data, transport it, and use it in any device, application, or operating system in a seamless way; Calls upon the European Commission to put forward proposals that guarantee the interoperability of services and applications and the portability of the consumers digital life;
Amendment 853 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Appreciates the Commission’'s initiative to analyse the role of platforms in the Digital Economy as part of the upcoming Internal Market Strategy, ensuring a comprehensive and similar approach to framework across the digital market; considers that "a one size fits all" solution may have a chilling effect on innovation and put European companies at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy; underlines the need of appropriate application of tools existing in the current legislation in this field;
Amendment 862 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Appreciates the Commission’s initiative to analyse the role of platforms in the Digital Economy as part of the upcoming InternalDigital Single Market Strategy;
Amendment 936 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Notes that given the borderless nature of the digital environment there is a need to ensure coherence and coordination between regulators, law enforcement agencies and the judicial system within the EU;
Amendment 975 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Believes that a thriving European Digital Economy is a cornerstone for boosting job creation and growth in the EU and that it is fundamental also to the modernisation of traditional industry; notes the important role of SMEs as enablers of job creation and welcomes the development of new business models and services;
Amendment 976 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Stresses that the digitalisation of other industries including manufacturing, the energy and transport sectors, the retail sector and SMEs, public services and education needs to be actively strengthened;