European ministers agree IT initiative

EU ministers have agreed on a pan-European initiative to promote information and communication technologies as a tool to help people to overcome economic and social disadvantages.

In a conference in Riga, ministers from 34 European countries signed a declaration which sets the target of boosting broadband coverage in Europe to at least 90%, and making all public web sites accessible by 2010.

"Many Europeans still get too little benefit from information and communication technolog...