Group photo;
Credit: © SIP / Claude Piscitelli
On Monday 8 June 2026, Luxembourg's Ministry of State and the Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy Department announced that Luxembourg had hosted the informal "Digital 9 Plus" ("D9+") meeting of European Union (EU) digital ministers in Belval, where participants discussed the protection of minors online and Europe's digital sovereignty.
The meeting was hosted by Luxembourg’s Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for Media and Connectivity Elisabeth Margue, and brought together thirteen other digital ministers and government representatives from across the EU, as well as Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen.
According to the ministry, the participants identified the protection of minors online as a key priority and called for coordinated European action to address growing risks linked to digital content and online practices. Discussions focused on age verification tools, their potential integration into the European Digital Identity Wallet and priorities for the future Digital Fairness Act.
Participants also stressed the importance of making digital platforms safer by design and age-appropriate for users, particularly children and other vulnerable groups. They highlighted the need to combine regulation, technological solutions and media literacy initiatives while avoiding regulatory fragmentation across the EU.
Ministers highlighted the need for a common and coordinated European response to the inherently cross-border challenges of protecting minors online, while ensuring respect for fundamental principles.
Minister Margue stated: "The discussions with ministers and representatives from the academic world were particularly valuable at a time when major political decisions will need to be taken, particularly regarding age verification, platform design and regulatory coherence.
The protection of minors online has become an increasingly urgent priority for European policymakers. Ministers and academic experts called for a strong, coherent and evidence-based European response to ensure a safe and age-appropriate digital environment for minors. This ambition is fully aligned with the commitment of our government, which remains firmly dedicated to a safer, more protective digital framework that respects fundamental European values."
The meeting also addressed Europe's digital competitiveness and technological sovereignty. According to the ministry, European technology companies are increasingly emerging as credible alternatives in a highly concentrated global market, while the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) companies and scale-ups is helping to strengthen European digital sovereignty.
Ministers also highlighted EU initiatives such as the AI Act, cloud and AI programmes, and strategic infrastructure investments. They stressed the importance of combining sovereignty, openness and regulatory simplification to support innovation, competitiveness and long-term economic growth.
"Europe must strengthen its digital sovereignty by developing its strategic capabilities and reducing critical dependencies while remaining open, pragmatic and fully committed to international partnerships with trusted partners," concluded Minister Margue.
At the conclusion of the meeting, ministers adopted a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to pursuing these priorities in future European work, particularly in preparation for the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council, with the aim of strengthening a coordinated and ambitious digital approach at EU level, said the ministry.
