European ministers for development recognise the interest of integrating digital services and technologies more in the EU's policy on development cooperation. This was expressed at their informal meeting in Tallinn on Monday 11 September – much to the pleasure of Estonia's Foreign Minister Sven Mikser and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.
"This is one of the Estonian Presidency's cross-cutting priorities and a very important priority for cooperation because it enables a contribution to sustainable development", Mikser said, describing the informal talks as "fruitful" at the end of their session. Mogherini spoke of digital as the "trademark" of this Council.
The ministers recognised that the EU and its member states must "invest in development cooperation that is turned towards the future" and must "be aware of the added value of digital solutions and technologies for the development of states and the fostering of digital societies", Mikser stated.
The discussion on this subject will feed into the Council conclusions at the next formal meeting.
European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said he was "pleased about the common objective of increasing the use of digital technologies and services in the EU's development policy".
The ministers also discussed the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) – the pillar of the EU's external investment plan which is due to be launched for the fifth EU-Africa summit in Abidjan on 29-30 November on the theme of "Investing in Youth". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)