BRUSSELS, 18th July, 2022 (WAM) — The EU Council today endorsed conclusions on EU digital diplomacy.

Digital technologies have brought new opportunities and risks to the lives of EU citizens and people around the world. They have also become key competitive parameters that can alter the geopolitical balance of power. The EU has a growing network of digital alliances and partnerships around the world. It is increasingly investing in digital infrastructure and, as part of the Global Gateway strategy, in supporting partners in defining their regulatory approach to technology based on a human-centric approach.

In this context, the Council calls on all parties concerned to ensure that digital diplomacy becomes an essential component and an integral part of EU external action, and is closely coordinated with other EU external policies in cybersecurity and countering hybrid threats, including manipulation of foreign information and interference.

In this context, to strengthen EU digital diplomacy in and with the US, the EU will soon open a dedicated office in San Francisco, a global center for digital technology and innovation.

The findings highlight the importance of capacity building and strategic promotion of technological solutions and regulatory frameworks that respect democratic values ​​and human rights.

This is why the EU will actively promote universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and democratic principles in the digital space and advance a human-centric approach to digital technologies in multilateral forums and other relevant platforms, promoting partnerships and coalitions with like-minded countries and strengthening cooperation within and with the United Nations system, the G7, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Trade Organization (WTO), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Council of Europe and other multilateral fora, striving to match the progress made with EU green diplomacy and cyberdiplomacy.