Border Regions to Benefit from Internet Access as 5th EU Freedom - Passy

Solomon (left) and Gergana Passy, the Bulgarian family of two former government ministers, who came up with the idea for a common mobile phone charger in 2008, is now promoting access to Internet as 5th EU freedom. File photo

Citizens living in scarcely populated border regions would benefit largely from access to the Internet being declared a fundamental human right, Solomon Passy, President of the Atlantic Club in Bulgaria, has pointed out.

"For them, that would be a lifesaving idea, through which they could overcome their isolation. Internet is their only reliable connection with the rest of the world. That is why my suggestion could be seen also as a way of fighting the border regions' depopulation," Passy, who has endorsed in initiative to establish Internet access as the 5th EU freedom, has explained.

"Nowadays, the Internet is a primary necessity, like running water and electricity," he has added, as cited by the Dnevnik daily.

Passy, together with his wife, Gergana Passy, President of Pan-Europa Bulgaria, have submitted a letter to the European Commission that promotes Internet access as a Fifth EU freedom, in addition to the four freedoms of movement – of people, capitals, goods, and services.

Iin 2008, the family came up with the idea for common mobile phone charges, a contribution recognized by the EC.

The new initiative is entitled "EU - Wi-Fi PARADISE", and has been submitted to Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Digital Agenda; Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship; and John Dalli, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy; with a copy sent to Kristalina Georgieva,Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.

The Passy family point out that paying a fee of EUR 10-15 for Internet access in a five-star European hotel is equivalent to being charged for the hot water in the bathroom, for the electricity in this same hotel, "оr even for the air you breathe."

They mention that Bulgarians are actually more privileged than other Europeans in that respect: Bulgaria is 5th in the world in quality of broadband Internet, while Sofia is 11th city in the world in the quality of Internet connection (according to a research of Cisco Systems, conducted by Oxford University). 

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