Meeting on 21 June at the Vienna EU-US summit, EU and US leaders committed themselves to strengthen their global partnership by adopting a common line towards global challenges.
"When America and the EU work together, we can accomplish big things," said President Bush. "Working together, the EU and the US may not be enough to solve the many challenges before us. But without the joint efforts of the EU and the US, these global challenges will be impossible to meet."
The leaders discussed key foreign policy issues, global security, strengthening trade and the transatlantic economy, and cooperating further on energy and climate change.
Commission President José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Council and Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel and US President George W. Bush will meet at the EU-US Summit on 21 June in Vienna to discuss foreign policy co-operation, energy security, economy and trade, and other global challenges. On energy, leaders are expected to step up EU-US cooperation to a strategic level and to promote a set of principles for responsible energy policies worldwide. Iran, the Middle East and the promotion of democracy are expected to dominate the foreign policy agenda.
Other participants at the summit will be Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for Trade Mandelson, and Austrian Foreign Minister Plassnik as well as High Representative Javier Solana from the EU side and Secretary of State Rice from the US side.
President Barroso said: ”EU-US relations have strengthened considerably over the last year and we are working together systematically to address common economic, political and environmental challenges. With shared values and interests, the EU and the US are natural partners to take the lead. Our Summit meeting will confirm this productive year and look to strengthen further our global partnership.”
IssuesThe four main topics on the agenda are:
Foreign Policy – focusing on Iran, the Middle East and promotion of democracy.
Energy - strengthening EU-US strategic cooperation on energy and advancing principles of good practice in energy markets.
Economy and trade - moving towards conclusion of the Doha WTO round negotiations, maintaining open investment regimes, and adopting a strategy for the enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in third countries. The EU will also raise the need to extend the US Visa Waiver Programme to all citizens of EU Member States.
Global challenges - improving ways to meet the challenge of climate change.
In the margins of the Summit, Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Austrian Foreign Minister and Council President in office Ursula Plassnik and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will sign a Higher Education and Vocational Training Agreement aiming at stimulating further exchangesbetween the peoples of the EU and the US and improving the quality of human resource development
In the margins of the Summit Vice President Verheugen and Commissioner Peter Mandelson and US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez will also launch a joint EU - US Action Strategy on the global enforcement of intellectual property right. This ground-breaking agreement envisages closer customs co-operation, including more data sharing.
Timing
Leaders will meet for a working session in the morning of 21 June, followed by a working lunch. A Press conference by Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel and US President George W. Bush is planned for 21 June at 14:30 hours.
-European Community Press Releases-
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
NEW EUROPA NEWS RELEASE: The renewed European Sustainable Development Strategy 2005-2010
Following the review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy 2001 launched by the Commission in 2004 and on the basis of contributions from the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and others, the European Council adopted in June 2006 an ambitious and comprehensive renewed Sustainable Development Strategy for an enlarged European Union.
This document sets out a single, coherent strategy on how the EU will more effectively live up to its long-standing commitment to meet the challenges of sustainable development. It reaffirms the need for global solidarity and recognises the importance of working with partners outside the EU, including those rapidly developing countries which will have a significant impact on global sustainable development.
Supplement to the communication about the review of the Strategy :
ESTAT Publication : Sustainable Development Indicators
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Iraq conflict could be devastating for rural economy
Emergency appeal for $86 million launched
Conflict could be devastating for Iraq's rural economy with consequences on the country's capacity to produce food, FAO warned today in the wake of its recent launch of a $86 million appeal to help meet the emergency.
Close to two-thirds of Iraq's 24.5 million people rely entirely for their daily sustenance on food baskets provided under the UN's Oil-for-Food Programme, halted since the war began.
FAO, responsible for the Oil-for-Food Programme's agricultural component, said Iraq's farmers will require seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, fuel, spare parts and other tools they need to plant, harvest and secure current and future crops.
Animal feed, vaccines and medicines are needed for the farmers' livestock.
Saving the "bread basket"
FAO's prime concern is the approaching harvest of the winter wheat and barley crop, expected to begin in late April and estimated at between 1.5 and 1.7 million tonnes of grain.
"Loss of the winter harvest, especially in Iraq's northern 'bread basket' provinces, which account for more than half of the country's entire cereal production, would further aggravate what is already a difficult situation," said Laurent Thomas, Chief, Special Emergency Programmes Service.
"All efforts have to be made to save this harvest throughout the country where access will be feasible, by making sure farmers are in position with their combine harvesters working, and fuel, spare parts and storage in place," said Thomas.
As compelling is the need to ensure that planting for the irrigated spring crop of vegetable, maize and rice proceeds on schedule.
The vegetable crop, a source of much-needed cash as well as an essential supply of the vitamins, proteins and micronutrients missing from the food-aid baskets, should be underway now.
FAO is appealing for more than $20 million for three emergency projects to secure the grain harvest and the spring and fall plantings.
There are six other projects in the $86 million appeal, all designed to:
protect harvest;
increase food production;
prevent outbreaks of animal diseases;
ensure water supplies in rural areas;
coordinate relief efforts.
FAO also needs funds to improve, plan and coordinate food security activities in collaboration with other UN agencies and NGO's and to monitor their impact on the nutritional status of the population.
Water a priority
Any disruption to the water supply, which provides both drinking water and irrigation, will damage crops and livestock production.
Provision has also been made in the FAO appeal for pipes, pumps, drills and technical expertise required to set-up emergency water supplies and repair damaged irrigation networks, if needed.
A $9.8 million project is designed to support the country's 4 000 poultry farms, another essential source of the animal proteins missing from the food basket.
Prior to the outbreak of the current conflict, Iraq was producing up to 155 000 metric tonnes of poultry meat and 2 billion eggs annually.
The lack of veterinary services, vaccines, drugs and quarantine controls could also result in the spread of animal diseases with serious economic impact in Iraq and possibly with impact on the whole region.
Veterinary checks on the border of neighbouring countries and vaccination campaigns will be required to prevent outbreaks of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and pestes des petits ruminants among the country's 1.5 million head of cattle and 18 million sheep and goats.
"These animals are the wealth of a large part of Iraq's rural population," said Thomas. "So if people move, they are going to take their animals with them, increasing the risk of animal diseases spreading within the country and possibly across borders."
Conflict could be devastating for Iraq's rural economy with consequences on the country's capacity to produce food, FAO warned today in the wake of its recent launch of a $86 million appeal to help meet the emergency.
Close to two-thirds of Iraq's 24.5 million people rely entirely for their daily sustenance on food baskets provided under the UN's Oil-for-Food Programme, halted since the war began.
FAO, responsible for the Oil-for-Food Programme's agricultural component, said Iraq's farmers will require seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, fuel, spare parts and other tools they need to plant, harvest and secure current and future crops.
Animal feed, vaccines and medicines are needed for the farmers' livestock.
Saving the "bread basket"
FAO's prime concern is the approaching harvest of the winter wheat and barley crop, expected to begin in late April and estimated at between 1.5 and 1.7 million tonnes of grain.
"Loss of the winter harvest, especially in Iraq's northern 'bread basket' provinces, which account for more than half of the country's entire cereal production, would further aggravate what is already a difficult situation," said Laurent Thomas, Chief, Special Emergency Programmes Service.
"All efforts have to be made to save this harvest throughout the country where access will be feasible, by making sure farmers are in position with their combine harvesters working, and fuel, spare parts and storage in place," said Thomas.
As compelling is the need to ensure that planting for the irrigated spring crop of vegetable, maize and rice proceeds on schedule.
The vegetable crop, a source of much-needed cash as well as an essential supply of the vitamins, proteins and micronutrients missing from the food-aid baskets, should be underway now.
FAO is appealing for more than $20 million for three emergency projects to secure the grain harvest and the spring and fall plantings.
There are six other projects in the $86 million appeal, all designed to:
protect harvest;
increase food production;
prevent outbreaks of animal diseases;
ensure water supplies in rural areas;
coordinate relief efforts.
FAO also needs funds to improve, plan and coordinate food security activities in collaboration with other UN agencies and NGO's and to monitor their impact on the nutritional status of the population.
Water a priority
Any disruption to the water supply, which provides both drinking water and irrigation, will damage crops and livestock production.
Provision has also been made in the FAO appeal for pipes, pumps, drills and technical expertise required to set-up emergency water supplies and repair damaged irrigation networks, if needed.
A $9.8 million project is designed to support the country's 4 000 poultry farms, another essential source of the animal proteins missing from the food basket.
Prior to the outbreak of the current conflict, Iraq was producing up to 155 000 metric tonnes of poultry meat and 2 billion eggs annually.
The lack of veterinary services, vaccines, drugs and quarantine controls could also result in the spread of animal diseases with serious economic impact in Iraq and possibly with impact on the whole region.
Veterinary checks on the border of neighbouring countries and vaccination campaigns will be required to prevent outbreaks of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and pestes des petits ruminants among the country's 1.5 million head of cattle and 18 million sheep and goats.
"These animals are the wealth of a large part of Iraq's rural population," said Thomas. "So if people move, they are going to take their animals with them, increasing the risk of animal diseases spreading within the country and possibly across borders."
IRS Plans Surveys to Improve Taxpayer Services
The Internal Revenue Service will survey nearly 50,000 people this month to help the agency improve the way it provides taxpayer services.
An Opinion Survey of Taxpayer Resources and Services will be sent to 40,000 taxpayers as part of the Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint (TAB), a multi-year effort by the IRS to review its customer service operations and craft plans for continued improvements. Another survey of 10,000 taxpayers will help the IRS determine the effectiveness of its forms and publications.
“At the IRS, we are committed to providing a balanced program of quality service and equitable enforcement of the law. We strive to provide efficient and effective taxpayer services within available resources. This Blueprint will provide a solid foundation on which to base decisions about our taxpayer services portfolio,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.
The IRS, the National Taxpayer Advocate and the IRS Oversight Board are collaborating on the TAB Project, which is intended to address questions about the taxpayers’ service preferences and needs. The IRS currently delivers services to taxpayers either electronically, through third parties such as tax practitioners or volunteer preparers, by mail, by telephone or through face-to-face assistance.
Taxpayers chosen at random will be asked 25 questions about how they use IRS services and how they would like to use IRS services. The questionnaire will be mailed to the taxpayers by an IRS-approved contractor. The survey to taxpayers does not ask for any financial or personal information nor should any be divulged. Individual responses will remain confidential.
Recognizing the importance of the clarity and effectiveness of forms, publications, and instructions to the delivery of quality taxpayer service, Media & Publications is at the same time surveying approximately 10,000 individual and business taxpayers, tax preparers and community-based partners to obtain their perspective on this aspect of IRS service.
The Media & Publications External Customer Satisfaction Survey will measure how satisfied respondents are with the information they get from the IRS and how well it equips them to understand and meet their obligations under federal tax laws. Questions will address the content, usefulness, format, graphics and delivery of IRS forms and publications. Customers will have the option of taking the survey by telephone or via the internet.
Both the TAB Opinion Survey of Taxpayer Resources and Services and the Media & Publications External Customer Satisfaction Survey are designed to provide IRS with greater and more accurate understanding of taxpayer service needs, preferences, and behavior. Both surveys will be repeated in future years, which will allow the IRS to continually refine and improve taxpayer services based on taxpayer preferences and needs.
Official News Release: Internal Revenue Services (US-IRS Department of Trasury)
An Opinion Survey of Taxpayer Resources and Services will be sent to 40,000 taxpayers as part of the Taxpayer Assistance Blueprint (TAB), a multi-year effort by the IRS to review its customer service operations and craft plans for continued improvements. Another survey of 10,000 taxpayers will help the IRS determine the effectiveness of its forms and publications.
“At the IRS, we are committed to providing a balanced program of quality service and equitable enforcement of the law. We strive to provide efficient and effective taxpayer services within available resources. This Blueprint will provide a solid foundation on which to base decisions about our taxpayer services portfolio,” said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson.
The IRS, the National Taxpayer Advocate and the IRS Oversight Board are collaborating on the TAB Project, which is intended to address questions about the taxpayers’ service preferences and needs. The IRS currently delivers services to taxpayers either electronically, through third parties such as tax practitioners or volunteer preparers, by mail, by telephone or through face-to-face assistance.
Taxpayers chosen at random will be asked 25 questions about how they use IRS services and how they would like to use IRS services. The questionnaire will be mailed to the taxpayers by an IRS-approved contractor. The survey to taxpayers does not ask for any financial or personal information nor should any be divulged. Individual responses will remain confidential.
Recognizing the importance of the clarity and effectiveness of forms, publications, and instructions to the delivery of quality taxpayer service, Media & Publications is at the same time surveying approximately 10,000 individual and business taxpayers, tax preparers and community-based partners to obtain their perspective on this aspect of IRS service.
The Media & Publications External Customer Satisfaction Survey will measure how satisfied respondents are with the information they get from the IRS and how well it equips them to understand and meet their obligations under federal tax laws. Questions will address the content, usefulness, format, graphics and delivery of IRS forms and publications. Customers will have the option of taking the survey by telephone or via the internet.
Both the TAB Opinion Survey of Taxpayer Resources and Services and the Media & Publications External Customer Satisfaction Survey are designed to provide IRS with greater and more accurate understanding of taxpayer service needs, preferences, and behavior. Both surveys will be repeated in future years, which will allow the IRS to continually refine and improve taxpayer services based on taxpayer preferences and needs.
Official News Release: Internal Revenue Services (US-IRS Department of Trasury)
DELAYS IN ISSUING SSNs TO MARSHALLESE LIVING IN THE U.S.
Sometimes Marshallese living in the United States experience difficulties and delays in obtaining a Social Security number (SSN). Reasons for those delays and ways to address the problem were discussed in a recent meeting between Ambassador Banny deBrum and Social Security Administration (SSA) officials.
SSA procedures effective 9/30/2002 require that the SSA employees confirm the identity and immigration status of any applicant with the Department of Homeland Security’s USCIS office (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – formerly INS). Marshall Islanders are experiencing delays because the electronic verification system at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently lacks a code corresponding to the CFA/MIS status indicator on the I-94 form that Marshallese receive on entering the United States. Without the code, requests for verification of the I-94s issued to Marshallese applicants for SSNs must be sent from the SSA to the Department of Homeland Security via a paper-based process that can take anywhere from two weeks to three months.
The Department of Homeland Security is aware of the need to add the necessary code to their systems. The Embassy is following up on the issue with various U.S. agencies in order to make this a priority item at DHS. In addition, the SSA is working with the Embassy to craft a clear process by which any Marshallese facing delays in obtaining an SSN can easily follow up on their application. The SSA will also provide an updated version of the letter from one of their high-level officials explaining Marshallese eligibility for an SSN.
For Marshallese who are having problems getting jobs due to delays in processing of their SSNs, it should be noted that employers may, if they wish, hire someone who has already applied for and is waiting for an SSN. Below are links to information issued by the SSA and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for employers regarding the regulations for such cases.
Ambassador deBrum thanked the SSA officials at the meeting for their willingness to work together to resolve SSN-related problems for Marshallese citizens. He said, “We are here to ensure that the way is clear for Marshallese who come to the United States under the Compact of Free Association to live, work and go to school. We will continue to work with U.S. Government agencies to resolve these problems as soon as possible. At the same time, I encourage any Marshallese who are experiencing difficulties to continue to contact the Embassy so that we can be as responsive as possible to the needs of our communities here in the U.S.”
Official Release of the Republic of Marshall Islands
SSA procedures effective 9/30/2002 require that the SSA employees confirm the identity and immigration status of any applicant with the Department of Homeland Security’s USCIS office (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – formerly INS). Marshall Islanders are experiencing delays because the electronic verification system at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently lacks a code corresponding to the CFA/MIS status indicator on the I-94 form that Marshallese receive on entering the United States. Without the code, requests for verification of the I-94s issued to Marshallese applicants for SSNs must be sent from the SSA to the Department of Homeland Security via a paper-based process that can take anywhere from two weeks to three months.
The Department of Homeland Security is aware of the need to add the necessary code to their systems. The Embassy is following up on the issue with various U.S. agencies in order to make this a priority item at DHS. In addition, the SSA is working with the Embassy to craft a clear process by which any Marshallese facing delays in obtaining an SSN can easily follow up on their application. The SSA will also provide an updated version of the letter from one of their high-level officials explaining Marshallese eligibility for an SSN.
For Marshallese who are having problems getting jobs due to delays in processing of their SSNs, it should be noted that employers may, if they wish, hire someone who has already applied for and is waiting for an SSN. Below are links to information issued by the SSA and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for employers regarding the regulations for such cases.
Ambassador deBrum thanked the SSA officials at the meeting for their willingness to work together to resolve SSN-related problems for Marshallese citizens. He said, “We are here to ensure that the way is clear for Marshallese who come to the United States under the Compact of Free Association to live, work and go to school. We will continue to work with U.S. Government agencies to resolve these problems as soon as possible. At the same time, I encourage any Marshallese who are experiencing difficulties to continue to contact the Embassy so that we can be as responsive as possible to the needs of our communities here in the U.S.”
Official Release of the Republic of Marshall Islands
Monday, June 05, 2006
Asian Development Bank Coordinating with Partners on Indonesia Earthquake Relief Assistance
ADB is working closely with the Government of Indonesia and other development partners, including the World Bank, United Nations, and Japan Bank for International Cooperation, on assessing the most effective ways to assist people affected by the 27 May earthquake.
ADB has initially offered US$10 million in immediate grant assistance and $50 million in concessional loans, for a total of $60 million, to help meet the rehabilitation and reconstruction needs.
“ADB has a wealth of experience in implementing projects in disaster affected areas,” said Rajat Nag, Director General of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, who visited central Java and Yogyakarta two days after the earthquake. “We will continue to assess the needs in the area and are already exploring how we can support the Government of Indonesia in the medium term.”
ADB has put together an immediate response team, comprising experts from various sectors, and will take part in a joint Government-donor mission to the affected areas on 6-7 June 2006.
The Government of Indonesia, through the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), will lead the damage and loss assessment process. The Indonesia government has convened a series of meetings since the earthquake, and the joint Government-donor teams are setting priorities and dividing responsibilities for assistance beyond the initial rescue and relief efforts, such as ensuring adequate provision of housing and utilities.
ADB has long experience in several sectors in the affected areas, including roads, flood management systems, and hospitals. ADB has an ongoing road rehabilitation project in the area, for example, as well as a project to provide housing and community infrastructure support.
-Asian Development Bank-
ADB has initially offered US$10 million in immediate grant assistance and $50 million in concessional loans, for a total of $60 million, to help meet the rehabilitation and reconstruction needs.
“ADB has a wealth of experience in implementing projects in disaster affected areas,” said Rajat Nag, Director General of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, who visited central Java and Yogyakarta two days after the earthquake. “We will continue to assess the needs in the area and are already exploring how we can support the Government of Indonesia in the medium term.”
ADB has put together an immediate response team, comprising experts from various sectors, and will take part in a joint Government-donor mission to the affected areas on 6-7 June 2006.
The Government of Indonesia, through the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), will lead the damage and loss assessment process. The Indonesia government has convened a series of meetings since the earthquake, and the joint Government-donor teams are setting priorities and dividing responsibilities for assistance beyond the initial rescue and relief efforts, such as ensuring adequate provision of housing and utilities.
ADB has long experience in several sectors in the affected areas, including roads, flood management systems, and hospitals. ADB has an ongoing road rehabilitation project in the area, for example, as well as a project to provide housing and community infrastructure support.
-Asian Development Bank-
Sunday, June 04, 2006
ONE MEGA MILLIONS TICKET WINS ESTIMATED $47 MILLION JACKPOT IN NEW JERSEY
One ticket matched all six Mega Millions numbers in the Friday, June 2, 2006 drawing, and now players are checking their tickets to see who won the estimated $47 million jackpot. The jackpot-winning ticket, which was purchased in Middlesex County, New Jersey, matched the numbers 3-10-18-36-38 and the Mega Ball number 41.
But that certainly wasn’t the only winner in Friday’s drawing. A total of 444,412 tickets won Mega Millions prizes. Here is the complete breakdown of prizes:
1 ticket matched all 6 numbers for the JACKPOT!
3 tickets matched 5 numbers for $250,000
25 tickets matched 4 numbers + the Mega Ball for $10,000
1,343 tickets matched 4 numbers for $150
1,412 tickets matched 3 numbers + the Mega Ball for $150
21,798 tickets matched 2 numbers + the Mega Ball for $10
68,926 tickets matched 3 numbers for $7
124,382 tickets matched 1 number + the Mega Ball for $3
226,522 tickets matched the Mega Ball for $2
Three tickets came within just one number of winning it all. Each of them matched the first five numbers and only missed the Mega Ball number. Those tickets were purchased in California, New York and Texas.
The jackpot for the Tuesday, June 6, 2006 Mega Millions drawing is $12 million.
Mega Millions is played in 12 states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM Eastern Time, 10:00 PM Central Time and 8:00 PM Pacific Time.
*California law restricts California Lottery games to pari-mutuel prizes. Prize amounts in California will differ from the fixed prize amounts shown here. Go to http://www.calottery.com/games/megamillions for the California Lottery Web site and prize amounts. Pari-mutuel prizes means that prize amounts vary with the number of tickets sold and the number of winning tickets in each prize category.
But that certainly wasn’t the only winner in Friday’s drawing. A total of 444,412 tickets won Mega Millions prizes. Here is the complete breakdown of prizes:
1 ticket matched all 6 numbers for the JACKPOT!
3 tickets matched 5 numbers for $250,000
25 tickets matched 4 numbers + the Mega Ball for $10,000
1,343 tickets matched 4 numbers for $150
1,412 tickets matched 3 numbers + the Mega Ball for $150
21,798 tickets matched 2 numbers + the Mega Ball for $10
68,926 tickets matched 3 numbers for $7
124,382 tickets matched 1 number + the Mega Ball for $3
226,522 tickets matched the Mega Ball for $2
Three tickets came within just one number of winning it all. Each of them matched the first five numbers and only missed the Mega Ball number. Those tickets were purchased in California, New York and Texas.
The jackpot for the Tuesday, June 6, 2006 Mega Millions drawing is $12 million.
Mega Millions is played in 12 states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM Eastern Time, 10:00 PM Central Time and 8:00 PM Pacific Time.
*California law restricts California Lottery games to pari-mutuel prizes. Prize amounts in California will differ from the fixed prize amounts shown here. Go to http://www.calottery.com/games/megamillions for the California Lottery Web site and prize amounts. Pari-mutuel prizes means that prize amounts vary with the number of tickets sold and the number of winning tickets in each prize category.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
New e-Gobernment via phone in Germany
The city of Essen, in the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia, will soon be the first
in the region to launch a comprehensive, voice-operated information and
communication portal to communicate with businesses and citizens.
The city authorities are planning to simplify access to its administrative services through a
new ‘eGovernment via telephone’ system due to be launched this autumn. Thanks to the new
voice-operated portal, citizens will be able to access most of the regularly required information
from public services, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The Essen project team was selected from a group of four participating communes and
regions in North Rhine-Westfalia. Their six-month pilot phase will give them the opportunity to
test the latest voice-activated software and its applicability in the provision of eGovernment
services to citizens and businesses.
To access e-Government services of Germany click HERE (only in german)
in the region to launch a comprehensive, voice-operated information and
communication portal to communicate with businesses and citizens.
The city authorities are planning to simplify access to its administrative services through a
new ‘eGovernment via telephone’ system due to be launched this autumn. Thanks to the new
voice-operated portal, citizens will be able to access most of the regularly required information
from public services, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The Essen project team was selected from a group of four participating communes and
regions in North Rhine-Westfalia. Their six-month pilot phase will give them the opportunity to
test the latest voice-activated software and its applicability in the provision of eGovernment
services to citizens and businesses.
To access e-Government services of Germany click HERE (only in german)
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