23 October 1996
PRESS STATEMENT

François Fillon, Minister for Postal Services, Telecommunications and Space presented new French initiatives designed to encourage the harmonious development of the Internet while pre-empting its use to ends which may be contrary to public order and security in each State.

1) Following the initiative which François Fillon began during the Council of European Ministers in Bologna, 24 April 1996, with a view to international cooperation, France, during a working session in Seoul today, presented a proposal for an International Cooperation Charter prepared on François Fillon's initiative to all its OECD partners.

This proposal includes two fundamental principles for cooperation:

• definition of effective common principles of application of national law, and definition of the responsibilities of the parties involved,
• commitment to the exchange of information and the promotion of a code of conduct established on a voluntary basis by the professionals involved and including principles such as respect for public order and human dignity, and the protection of privacy, property, and consumers.
• establishment of legal and police cooperation.

2) At the same time at a national level François Fillon began proceedings to elaborate a code of conduct by all the professionals involved, under the chairmanship of Antoine Beaussant, President of the Providers of Telematics Services Association who began a similar initiative recently. François Fillon hoped to see concrete proposals within the next few months.

3) Finally, after consultation with Alain Lamassoure, François Fillon indicated that he had made a proposition to the Prime Minister that Patrice Martin-Lalande, member of parliament and author of a proposal for a bill on these questions, might soon be nominated to a parliamentary mission to reflect on the legal and fiscal aspects of the development of these new services.

© Secretary of State for industry - France