Spain Urges EU States Keep Say Over Banning Foreign Telco Providers in New Cybersecurity Act
Spain's Position on the European Cybersecurity Act
National Sovereignty and Legal Framework
May 27 (Reuters) - Spain wants EU member states to retain a say over which countries, suppliers or products can be barred from infrastructure projects under a stronger European Cybersecurity Act whose overall direction it supports, a government spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The spokesperson at the digital transformation ministry told Reuters the issue touched on national sovereignty, as set out in EU treaties.
Proposed Changes and Their Implications
- The comments come as the European Commission plans a revision of the Cybersecurity Act to phase out components and equipment from high-risk suppliers in critical sectors.
- The plan is expected to affect Chinese companies including Huawei.
- The proposals, still under negotiation, would give Brussels the power to ban the use of equipment from high-risk suppliers in the EU market.
Spain's Support and Conditions
- Spain backs strengthening the Cybersecurity Act but wants it done within a legally sound framework consistent with the division of powers in EU treaties, the ministry said.
- Any classification of suppliers should be based on objective, proportionate and workable technical criteria, ensuring legal certainty and respect for national sovereignty, the ministry added.
Recent Developments and Impact on Telecom Sector
- Earlier in May, the Commission recommended that member states exclude Huawei and ZTE technology from local telecom operators' connectivity infrastructure.
- Last year, Spain cancelled a fibre-optic service contract with Telefonica <TEF.MC> over the use of Huawei equipment.
(Reporting by Javi West Larrañaga. Editing by Andrei Khalip and Mark Potter)
