The international and security context, aggravated by Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, is becoming daily more complex. New digital technologies are increasingly a driver of geopolitical competition and barometer of global influence, and are used by foreign actors to threaten the security and integrity of the EU and its Member States, to manipulate the information environment and to interfere in democratic processes. The threats to the EU’s human-centric and human rights-based model for digital transformation have become more acute and the importance of the leadership of the EU and its Member States on global digital governance is growing.

Background

Following the adoption of the  Council Conclusions on EU Digital Diplomacy in July 2022, the EU established a strong foundation for our external engagement on digital issues. Subsequent Council Conclusions on EU Digital Diplomacy adopted on 26 June 2023 propose a set of priority actions needed for a stronger, more strategic, coherent and effective EU policy and action in global digital affairs. The Conclusions call on both the EU and its Member States to act in a “Team Europe” approach to implement the priority actions: to ensure an enhanced coordination and strategic engagement towards multilateral and multi-stakeholder fora; to further develop bilateral and regional partnerships, particularly in respect of critical and emerging technologies; to strengthen engagement and cooperation with our partners worldwide on digital connectivity and on addressing digital divides, and finally, to scale up  EU leadership on global digital rules and scale up the efficiency of the EU and Member States’ digital resources, as well as the dialogue with the tech sector and other stakeholders.

On 22 July 2024 the Foreign Affairs Council held its annual exchange on the EU Digital Diplomacy, assessing progress achieved over last four years, when the digital issues have moved from purely technical to the ones of key strategic and political importance, having immediate implications on our democracy, economy and society. The discussion highlighted the importance of digital issues and of emerging technologies for an integrated EU foreign policy and the need to work together as Team Europe.

In April 2024, the European Council highlighted the need to strengthen the EU’s leadership in global digital affairs, inviting the Commission and the High Representative to prepare a joint communication on the subject.

The Commission launched a public call for evidence on 8 May to gather ideas to help shape the EU’s external digital policy. A wide variety of stakeholders, including tech companies, trade associations, national EU and third country authorities, civil society, non-governmental organisations, academia and citizens

On 6th June 2025, the European Commission adopted a Joint Communication on an International Digital Strategy for the European Union, setting out a joint vision for the EU's external action for digital.