Partnerships, security & global governance, three pillars of the EU international digital strategy
Digital technology is reshaping societies, economies, and security threads across the globe. Economic players and countries that are able to master them do not only gain a decisive economic edge in terms of competitiveness and efficiency, but these technologies are also used to strengthen their national defence and security.
The EU is taking a front line position in the global tech race. The High Representative Kaja Kallas and the European Commission have set out a joint vision for the EU's external digital policy with an International Digital Strategy for the EU.
"Europe has huge potential to expand its geopolitical reach on digital issues, and today we set out a clear vision to do just that. We are ready to collaborate more closely with partners on shared digital challenges while remaining committed to individual rights and freedoms that are essential for effective global digital governance. Digital technologies are also central to defence. We see this everywhere, from Artificial Intelligence on the battlefield in Ukraine to state-sponsored cyberattacks against EU Member States. Our new strategy calls for strengthening Europe’s ability to defend itself against digital threats, while championing tech innovation, including as part of building a stronger European defence sector."
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
Digital Diplomacy that delivers
The EU is committed to building a secure, open, and inclusive digital future based on respect for human rights and democratic principles. We work with partners to strengthen global digital governance, by promoting a rules-based global digital order, in line with the EU’s fundamental values.
The EU is boosting its tech competitiveness and innovation capacity while working with partners and allies to support their own digital transition through an EU Tech Business Offer
Investments and initiatives launched under Global Gateway demonstrate the strategic importance of the digital sector from a geopolitical, security and economic point of view.
Tech for security and defence
Digital policy is not just about tech devices and AI apps, but about whether or not a country’s economy can compete in today’s geopolitical world and can defend itself from cyber-attacks and hybrid threats. The EU will continue to strengthen its cybersecurity and cyber defence as well as that of its partners, while promoting trusted suppliers of digital technologies, including in dual-use technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and quantum.
In today’s volatile world, the EU is a consistent, predictable and reliable partner. That is why the EU is not only boosting its own digital sector, from AI Factories to defence tech, but is also reinforcing and expanding partnerships that bring visible benefits for the EU’s citizens and businesses and for its partners.
The new EU International Digital Strategy sends a message to countries around the world: Choose innovation. Choose security. Choose prosperity. Choose Europe.
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