"Europe is building bridges, not walls ," Reding emphasises. And bridges are built on the foundations of negotiation, a negotiation that in Europe is an unavoidable part of data protection. "We cannot reach agreements if our partners do not take care to adequately protect data," he emphasises.
As for the sacrosanct innovation, the star of today's Innovation Day, Reading is unequivocal. " Whoever destroys competition destroys innovation as well . We need to change the way we approach competition laws on a global level," he says.
For innovation to spread its wings in Europe, the former vice-president of the EC believes that afghanistan phone number the first thing needed is digital infrastructure. The problem? That such digital infrastructure is often conspicuous by its absence. “While others have worked to develop 5G , we have rested on our laurels ,” she complains.
"You only remain a pioneer when you want to be a pioneer," says Reding, and Europe has lagged behind in many ways when it comes to jumping on the digital bandwagon.
Furthermore, "all technologies must be based on trust , and shaping that trust is also Europe's task," he said.
Finally, if Europe wants to move forward and not remain stuck in the past, Reading considers the exchange of views and openness to other points of view to be vital. "Being united is our survival strategy ," concludes Reading.