On 29 September 2014, Günther Oettinger, Member designate of the EC in charge of Digital Economy and Society, was heard by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament for to test his general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to his portfolio. Before the beginning of the question and answer session, Günther Oettinger had the opportunity to make an opening statement.

Brussels

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

statement

Committee on Culture and Education

hearing

OETTINGER, Günther (DE, EC)

hearing of Günther OETTINGER (T)

2014 Commissioners' hearings (T)

Hearing of Günther OETTINGER (Germany), Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society: extracts from the statement by Günther OETTINGER

Arrival of G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society (5 shots).

SOUNDBITE (German), G&#252;nther H. OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society, ""

SOUNDBITE (English), G&#252;nther H. OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society, "We are living a revolution. The EU and its Member States have regulated. We have many assets in Europe, but if we compare ourselves to the US and Asia we have to concede that we are increasingly lagging behind."

SOUNDBITE (German), G&#252;nther H. OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society, <p>"Where does the Member State intervene? Where does it regulate? And where does industry act alone? We need a perfect European Team approach".</p>

SOUNDBITE (German), G&#252;nther H. OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society, "The EU has the economies of scale, has the financial wherewithal, to start the catch-up and to succeed in the competition with other continents. There is a great deal of ground to recover in ICT and in the economy as a whole."

SOUNDBITE (German), G&#252;nther H. OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society, "We also have 300 billion euro for the next  three years that has been announced, in public and private funding, a significant amount of this 30 billion is to be devoted to the didgital infrastructure, because road building is all very well and railway building is all very well, but above all we need a modernisation of our energy and ICT infrastructure. Investment in ICT infrastructure is the key to growth."

SOUNDBITE (German), G&#252;nther H. OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society, "Many people think culture and the economy rule eachother out. Actually, culture is very much a job creating sector of the economy. It is a source of contracts, it's a component of GDP."

SOUNDBITE (German), G&#252;nther H. OETTINGER, Commissioner-designate for Digital Economy and Society, "Together with my services and together with you I would like to come forward with a legislative proposal on copyright that safeguards the balance, that safeguards the interests of citizens, that give citizens access at affordable prices."