The objective of this Commission services working document is to emphasise the importance of interoperability in delivering e-government services in Europe. Interoperability is not simply a technical issue concerned with linking up computer networks. It goes beyond this to include the sharing of information between networks and the re-organisation of administrative processes to support the seamless delivery of e-government services.
However, e-government services do not stop at administrative or even national boundaries. For e-government services to support the single market and its associated four freedoms will require not only interoperability both within and across organisational and administrative boundaries but also across national boundaries with public administrations in other Member States. In addition, it will involve interoperability with the enterprise sector.
The working paper seeks to achieve acceptance from key policy and decision-makers on the need for interoperability in Europe, both within and between public administrations and with enterprises; to obtain the necessary commitments for this to happen at all levels (i.e. European, national, regional and local); and to ensure that any consequential adjustments of European or national policies occur.