Estonia and the United Kingdom continue Digital Cooperation at Full Speed

In December 2022, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a Technology Memorandum of Understanding (Tech MoU) aimed at fostering digital collaboration. At the time, the agreement laid the groundwork for sharing experiences in health, education, digital governance, data exchange, and cybersecurity.

At today’s meeting, Minister Pakosta provided an overview of recent developments and emphasized the importance of continuing intergovernmental digital cooperation.

Minister Pakosta expressed her gratitude to the UK for the collaboration, highlighting several areas where significant progress has been achieved. “Our cooperation with the UK has been incredibly valuable, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, data security, and digital identity,” said Minister Liisa Pakosta. “We share common priorities, including the goal of creating a secure digital environment,” she added.

The minister acknowledged that while peacetime provides a natural setting for collaboration, today’s global context makes such cooperation far from guaranteed. “Witnessing Russia’s actions in Ukraine reminds us that we must adapt our strategies and build capabilities for technological advancements,” she stated. “This is why it is crucial to include Ukraine in digital cooperation because the digital future knows no borders. Our shared goal is to exchange best practices, supporting innovation and resilience across all our partner countries.”

During her visit, the minister also met with the UK’s Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, and attended a reception at the Estonian Embassy. The visit’s main focus is on strengthening partnerships and advancing digital cooperation.