Spain wants EU states to retain say in barring foreign telco providers

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.

• 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 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.

• 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 (NYSE: TEF) over ​the use of Huawei equipment.

(Reporting by Javi West Larrañaga. Editing by Andrei Khalip and Mark ‌Potter)

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