The European Union says it is committed to providing smarter and tailored online public services to citizens and businesses by 2015.

EU ministers have signed the Malmo Declaration after meeting in the Swedish town for the fifth Ministerial eGovernment Conference. Siim Kallas, vice-president of the European Commission in charge of administrative affairs, audit and anti-fraud, said, "Today's declaration is another step in the right direction to further improve online public services for citizens and businesses. The commitment to shift from a 'one-size-fits-all' to a customised approach is more likely to meet users' needs, and will open the path for more interactive and demand-driven public services in Europe."

The declaration defines EU policy priorities to be achieved by 2015. They are:

To empower businesses and citizens through eGovernment services designed around users' needs, better access to information and their active involvement in the policy making process

To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of government services by reducing the administrative burden, improving organisational processes of administrations, and using ICT to improve energy efficiency in public administrations which will result in a greater contribution to a sustainable low-carbon economy

To facilitate mobility in the single market by seamless eGovernment services for setting up business, for studying, working, residing and retiring in Europe

The European Commission will now work with member states to set concrete targets for the eGovernment agenda in Europe, and will launch an action plan in the second half of 2010 proposing measures to achieve the objectives set out in the ministerial declaration.

European Commission figures on eGovernment in Europe show that the UK is part of the leading pack when it comes to the availability of electronic government services. The overall EU figures show 71% of the public services measured are fully available online through portals or websites, compared to only 59% in 2007. The Commission said Austria, Malta, Portugal, the UK, Sweden and Slovenia are leading countries in the availability of such services.

When it comes to EU-wide government e-Procurement, the usage figure stands at 60% - still far from the 100% target for 2010 set by the Commission's i2010 eGovernment action plan.