Estonian Foreign Minister Mikser: digital economy and innovative youth contribute to economic growth

Met dank overgenomen van Ests voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2017 i, gepubliceerd op maandag 23 januari 2017.

Foreign Minister Sven Mikser spoke today at the Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean „Mediterranean in Action: Youth for Stability and Development” in Barcelona about the role of youth, innovation and the growing impact of digital economy.

Talking about the impact digital economy has on world economy, the Foreign Minister pointed out the role of youth in it and the importance of access to ICT education. “Promoting digital economy, improving ICT skills and innovative youth ultimately contribute to economic growth,” Foreign Minister said.

Also, Mikser noted in his address the need to focus on modernising traditional entrepreneurship. “We support the establishment and growth of start-ups. This year, Estonia will host the Startup Nations Summit that will bring ICT policy-makers and entrepreneurs from around the world to Tallinn,” Foreign Minister added.

According to Mikser, Estonia is ready to offer practical experience on capacity building for e-governance, as well as on development of the ICT industry and education. “Estonian experiences in the e-governance have been successfully implemented in Palestine and Tunisia. We are confident that it is possible to build up similar systems elsewhere too,” he added.

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is an intergovernmental organisation bringing together 43 countries, including the EU Member States and 15 countries from North Africa, the Middle East and South East Europe.

Additional information: http://ufmsecretariat.org/ufmregforum/

Additional information:

Mariann Sudakov

Communication Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

(+372) 637 7628

(+372) 521 6821

press@mfa.ee

www.vm.ee