EU to launch Europe-wide public services portal

The EU has issued revised plans for the development of an online public services portal.

The portal, to be known as 'Your Europe', is hoped to become the EU's main Web site offering cross border e-government services for businesses and citizens.

A pilot version of the portal is to run until the end of 2004 after which the EU will launch a "fully operational" service, according to the plans.

The EU is moving ahead with the portal despite earlier reports acknowledging the difficulties with the initiative.

A report at the end of last year said: "Behind the political will, it should be noted that there are huge practical difficulties involved in coordinating such a type of portal. All EU national administration Web sites are structured in their own unique way, providing different levels of information on their public services, according to their importance and availability locally."

The latest report signalled the intent to link with national governments.

"What is envisaged is in fact a two-way relationship, whereby national/local portals will also be able to draw on the resources made available through the EU Portal (notably the information at EU level, the information and interactive services from the other administrations and even the information on their own national administration translated into the most commonly used EU languages)," it said.

Services to be offered through the portal include VAT number validation, social security, guidance on education opportunities and employment information.

The plans include a "multi-channel" approach with the possibility of offering services through kiosks, digital TV, call centres and mobile technology.