The European Commission announced today the launch of an open data strategy through which it encourages the member states to formulate such initiatives of open data programmes, praising the added value they can bring to the European Union’s economy. The new strategy, supported by the Vice-President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes, proposed introducing a development framework for programmes dedicated to open data, with key points included in the aspects considered such as and the costs related to open data publishing, but also about the types of areas, where data of public interest that can be found and interpreted in applications. At the same time, the Commission announced its intention to launch its own data portal which will function as a single access point for both the institutions of the Union and for national authorities. The portal is programmed to be launched next spring.

The interest for supporting the development of the open data field is also confirmed by the fact that during 2011-2013, the EU will provide funds of 100 millions Euros to finance researches designed to improve data processing technologies.

Read more about the European Commission strategy here: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1524&format=HTML&aged=0&language=RO&guiLanguage=en