Today, the EU heads of state meet in Tallinn for the Digital Summit Meeting. The aim of the meeting is to make Europe the global technology leader and to take a strong stand in global digitization.

Just a few days ago, EU finance ministers, with France, Germany, Italy and Spain in the forefront, came together to set the right course for a fair taxation of digital companies. A document leaked just before the Summit has given some insight on the possible future digital strategy of the EU.

As it is suggested in the document, the tax law of the EU, as well as the general economic framework, shall be harmonized. Taxation of multinational companies needs to be adapted to the changes caused by new digital business models. In the future, EU law should, in principle, be reviewed and, if necessary, adapted to the digital economy.

In addition, the four states are calling for the implementation of a 5-stages plan to pave the way for the European digital society. It is stressed that concrete measures have to be taken regarding infrastructures, digital platforms, skilled workers and education, start-up financing and digitization of industry by 2018 at the latest. Key topics to be addressed are data economy, intellectual property, civil rights, transparency obligations for the platform economy, as well as cybersecurity.

‘The EU-wide harmonization is essential in order to create more opportunities for the digital economy and to enhance Europe’s role,’ said European DIGITAL SME Alliance’s President Dr. Oliver Grün. ‘However, the decisive factor will be the measures chosen to be implemented in the short term. Digitization is not waiting for EU negotiations‘, he continued.