Ahead of the Franco-German summit on November 18, the four European CIO associations— Beltug, Cigref, CIO Platform Nederland and VOICE —have issued a joint statement on digital strategic autonomy and European sovereignty. The call focuses on strengthening Europe's digital industry and reducing dependence on non-European suppliers, which is estimated at €264 billion in 2025 and could rise to €500 billion in 2032 without intervention. 

 The statement contains seven key points: 

• Regulatory simplification: harmonization of digital legislation and a genuine European Digital Single Market. 

• European preference in procurement: strategic incentive for local technology. 

• Sovereign cloud: investment in secure European cloud infrastructure and revision of the Cybersecurity Act. 

• Strict enforcement of competition rules: especially with regard to dominant market players. 

• Trusted AI: governance, data protection, and IP rights. 

• Digital commons: development of open-source solutions via EDIC. 

• Digital identity: an identity for all EU citizens with a high level of trust. 

 
The four organizations emphasize that digital sovereignty must be a political priority in order to ensure Europe's competitiveness and innovation. 

Read the full statement here.