Good morning,

I have just landed in Tokyo and I will be exploring Japan's and South Korea's digital scene during these two weeks. The first word that comes to my mind is: THANK YOU!

I am grateful to all our Japanese members for their insights and invaluable support in preparing several exciting meetings and industry visits with a focus on AI, IoT, connectivity and cybersecurity. I am also grateful to our two South Korean Members, Samsung and LG Electronics, for hosting me in Seoul and for showing the best of what their country has to offer in terms of digital innovation and deployment of technologies!

The EU-Japan relations are to be praised and celebrated! Japan and the EU represent together about 30% of global GDP. The new Economic Partnership Agreement is going to transform us into the world's largest trading bloc. Japan also has put in place an ambitious digital strategy and there are many digital policy areas where we can mutually benefit from an ambitious vision. I am thinking, in particular, of the importance of data flows for the prosperity of our digital trade relations and the many benefits which would derive from it.

I will participate and speak in the 7th EU-Japan Digital Strategies Workshop on the 18th and at the EU-Japan Business Roundtable on 20th April, where I will also have the opportunity to engage with all relevant Japanese ministries and stakeholders, among which I would like to thank JEITA who will be co-hosting a roundtable session and dinner with DIGITALEUROPE's Members this afternoon.

I will discuss data flows, AI and cybersecurity as matters which are definitely worth being put at the table for the Japanese Presidency of the next G20, coming up shortly.

In this regard we need to get it right in Europe, in order to make the impact that we wish globally. We need to pull our resources and invest massively in future technologies, to accompany Europe's digital transformation and ensure European citizens are included in the process. We have made this argument in several fora last week. We addressed a clear call for action to Presidents Juncker, Tajani and Tusk in regards to the future MultiAnnual Financial Framework; I reiterated our call for actions during a video interview at the Digital Day and our President Markus Borchert conveyed the same message at the Lech Forum hosted by Commissioner Oettinger last week. There is no doubt that the real battle will take place in the Council, and we now look to our National Trade Associations to help communicate the need for a substantial budget to be dedicated to AI, cybersecurity and connectivity.

It is key to be present at the table where the discussions take place and we will keep doing so in the next years. DIGITALEUROPE applied to two expert groups last week. The first is the expert group on AI and the second is the expert group on fintechs in cooperation with BITKOM.

On policy: the Commission released last week its New Deal for Consumers, and we will remain vigilant throughout the discussions between the co-legislators, as several aspects of the legislative proposals are of serious concern for the industry - such as the extension of the scope of the consumer rights directive, the one-size-fits-all approach with regards to penalties or the revision of the injunctions directive to cover collective redress. It is important that European consumers' online trust is enhanced, but online innovation in Europe must be encouraged and not hampered, and the rules in place are already proving to address most major issues.  So why create new rules when solutions already exist?

This makes me think of another issue, the fallout from Cambridge Analytica has been all over the news, reinstating once again the importance of data protection in the digital world. There's been no shortage of well-deserved praise for Europe's General Data Protection Regulation, coming into force on 25 May, showing again how Europe is leading the world on data protection. But unfortunately the scandal has also been used by some as an excuse to move on with a poorly designed ePrivacy Regulation, which would not protect users but only limit legitimate uses of data. See our statement.

Let me give you some internal updates now, as I am delighted to announce that we have just recruited two senior policy managers for sustainability with very strong profile and outstanding reputation in Brussels. Lara Visser who many of you may know already will join us in June, as well as a second hire whose name will be made public very soon! Sustainability and environmental policies are key to DIGITALEUROPE's activities. We have been a trend-setter in Europe and at global level on these matters, and this will continue!

On staff matters, I would also like to welcome Tristan d'Otreppe, who has joined us for a short internship in the frame of his Masters degree in EU Politics at the Free University of Brussels.

Finally a short message to all Members: you must have received yesterday all necessary information for the upcoming elections of the Board and our Policy Groups. I look forward to seeing you all at the General Assembly 2018,  on 5-6 June, with guest speakers to be confirmed soon.

I also look forward to seeing you on 22 May for a special event during which we will co-create a Manifesto for Europe's digital future, setting the scene for the future Commission. Speakers include: 

• Claire Bury, European Commission, DG CONNECT, Deputy Director - General
• Enrico Forti, European Commission, Secretariat-General, Director for interinstitutional relations 

Thank you and best greetings from the other side of the world!


Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl