European Leadership in the Digital Age
If Europe is to succeed in becoming a global digital soft power, the digital agenda needs to be a much more systematic and prominent priority in the EU’s foreign policy and alliance-building activities. I am therefore happy that French Foreign Minister Le Drian and I today decided to initiate a discussion among all EU foreign minister on this crucial topic.
France and Denmark believe firmly that the EU needs to elevate the digital agenda in it’s foreign policy and external action. On this basis, the Danish and French Foreign Ministers as well as the French Minister for Digitalisation signed a declaration on a European Vision for the Digital Age. The declaration was signed in Paris in conjunction with the visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Denmark 7-9 October 2019.
About the declaration
At a time when technology has become geopolitics and the US and China are competing to lead the Artificial Intelligence and data revolution, the joint French-Danish declaration highlights Europe’s critical role in promoting a responsible approach to technology based on democratic values and human rights. If Europe is to succeed in becoming a global digital soft power, the digital agenda needs to be a much more systematic and prominent priority in the EU’s foreign policy and alliance-building activities. The declaration therefore highlights the need to initiate a discussion among all EU foreign ministers on this crucial topic. Furthermore, it underlines the need for the tech industry to assume responsibility and contribute to our societies.
France and Denmark
Denmark and France are the first two European nations to appoint dedicated tech ambassadors and elevate technological diplomacy (TechPlomacy) to a foreign policy priority. France and Denmark already work together on a number of technology related issues.