"Digitalisation and decentralisation both serve the same aims: to bring political, administrative life and decision-making processes closer together therefore making them more accessible to the citizens" was the key message of the EPP/CoR President Michael Schneider who addressed the "Digital Ukraine" conference today.

An event organised by the Polish MEP Michał Boni gathered a number of distinguished guests, among them Günther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, representatives of the Ukrainian parliament and government, members of the European Parliament and the European Committee of the Regions.

As Commissioner Oettinger stressed that the Digital strategy of Ukraine needs to be connected to the European Union's Digital Single Market, President Schneider encouraged Ukrainian authorities to engage their local and regional authorities in shaping the digital future of their country: "By their direct involvement, not just Ukraine will be closer to the EU, but in particular it will be closer to its own citizens and their territories.. The European Committee of the Regions stands ready to further help you in that process through political and practical support" he underlined.

MEP Michał Boni advocated the added value that e-governance could bring in Ukraine:
"E-governance can new model of relations between citizens and administration, oriented on citizens' convenience. Its solutions can simplify administrative procedures and make administrative processes and decisions much more visible and transparent. It is the key for building trust among all partners and that is crucial for building social capital. And social capital is the fuel of the modern, innovative growth."

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