EU member states to speak with one voice on Internet governance

MILAN (Xinhua) - European Union (EU) member states have pledged to act as coherent partners on Internet governance.

At an informal meeting of EU telecommunications ministers in Italy's business capital Milan on Thursday and Friday, member states supported the evolution of Internet governance within an open and transparent multi-stakeholder model, Italy's undersecretary in charge of telecommunications and frequencies Antonello Giacomelli told a press conference at the end of the meeting.

Earlier this year the US government announced its intention to effect the transition of the Assigned Numbers Authority function and of the current oversight role played by the United States in the coordination of the Internet's Domain Name System to the global multi-stakeholder community.

The US government has asked for a proposal for such a transition.

Given the importance of the Internet for the European economy and society, and in order to develop further a relation with the United States and the other players, the EU telecommunications ministers have agreed to strengthen coordination and speak with one voice, said Giacomelli.

European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes noted that member states will deliver common and consistent messages about the transition of the administration of domain names, working together on the reform process of Internet governance.