The European Commission tabled a long-awaited plan to boost e-commerce yesterday, along with an update to EU audiovisual rules and a new approach to online platforms.

Reacting to these announcements, Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions, said:

"At first glance, these are welcome steps for adapting to our ever increasingly digital world. We have heard time and time again that there are serious concerns stopping European businesses and citizens from making the most of the Digital Single Market's potential and we have to take these concerns seriously.

We will be examining the proposals in detail to see the exact impact on local and regional authorities and expressing any concerns that we may have.

The EPP  Group stands firm that we need to find the right balance between regulation and the creativity and innovation needed to ensure our regions and cities can flourish and make the most of today's opportunities."