François Bancilhona, blogging on Data Publica, reports that the European Commission held a meeting in Luxembourg to discuss the advisability of implementing such a tool. Several countries were represented at the meeting:

• England: Jonathan Gray and Nigel Shadbolt
• Spain: Jose Manuel Alonso
• Ireland: Michael Hausenblas
• Finland: Jarmo Eskelinen
• Belgium: Bastiaan Beblieck
• Austria: Martin Kaltenboeck
• France: François Bancilhona

The experts came from either government agencies or academia, or specialized SMEs in the semantic web. Each presented his experiences and views and the workshop was led by Stefano Bertolo. All participants were of the school of "semantic web" and "linked data". Their mission in life is to increase the size of the Semantic Web by releasing the data and using it (the second stemming immediately and obviously from the first).

A discussion ensued onquality vs. quantity: to invest in cataloging of a large number of datasets or instead focus on detailed implementation of a smaller number. The English were seen as having a clear lead over the rest of the participants: they have experience, an organisation in place, and support policies. It also appears that the transition between the Labour and Conservative government has preserved the gains of the process put in place and that the new watchword is: "transparency for efficiency"

The working group reviewed the benefits of a portal for Europe - and discussed how to implement, which subjects to choose, how to show interest in terms of new applications, interaction with the national portals, etc. Unsurprisingly, the blog reports that the conclusions are quite positive:

• we must do something to list and catalog data of the EU
• we must do something to establish some form of interoperability between countries
• the commission has a role to play in promoting the opening of the data.

The experts of the commission must now decide on next steps. François Bancilhona proposes that rather than engage in a cumbersome tender, that a mild and pragmatic approach has been suggested to develop a set of data sets and illustrate their interest. Organizing a conference on the subject has been proposed.

As François Bancilhona says: 'Stay tuned'. To read the blog