INTERNET GOVERNANCE : MERKEL CALLS FOR SEPARATE EUROPEAN INTERNET.

• Position: Angela Merkel - Brief article

France and Germany are going to discuss creating European internet services during their 19 February summit in Paris, announced German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a podcast(1).

Merkel pointed out that "We'll talk with France about how we can maintain a high level of data protection". "Above all," she added "we'll talk with European providers that offer security for our citizens, so that one shouldn't have to send e-mails and other information across the Atlantic. Rather, one could build up a communication network inside Europe".

Some may say it is a dig at Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes, who wanted to avoid taking security measures that could lead to the "Balkanisation" of the internet in a communication on internet governance presented last week. Nevertheless, on 17 February, Kroes' spokesperson reacted positively to the news, "We...