Boosting Europe’s global tech footprint: EU charts out new International Digital Strategy
The digital revolution is upon us, and it's here to stay. The EU has a long-standing history of cooperation on digital priorities with countries worldwide to foster economic growth, resilience and competitiveness in tech. Yet, questions as to how to best work with others to mitigate the challenges of the digital transition and reap its benefits, remain. On 5 June 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, set out a joint blueprint for the EU's external action for digital - the new European International Digital Strategy.
The strategy sets sails out on a new approach to the EU's international digital cooperation and the way it collaborates with other actors in the global innovation and tech ecosystem. It is a forward-looking plan to strengthen EU leadership in key capacity areas of global digital affairs and reinforce existing successful partnerships, proven to work.
Re-imagining EU's international digital cooperation
Boosting EU's capacity for innovation rests not only on coordinated inter-EU efforts, but also on the continent's capacity to capitalise on the collaboration between partners and allies to deliver results and drive the development and uptake of new technologies forward in a human-centric way that simultaneously upholds and strengthens core, fundamental EU values and rights.
Main aims
The Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative lays out 3 key objectives that underpin EU's new International Digital Strategy.
- Boost the EU’s tech competitiveness through economic and business cooperation. The EU will continue to cooperate with trusted partners to reinforce EU leadership in emerging tech, including through research and innovation and by attracting foreign investments and talents; use its international tools to develop and promote EU technology solutions worldwide; and expand its growing network of digital trade agreements.
- Promote a high level of security for the EU and its partners. In line with existing commitments, the EU will continue to strengthen its cybersecurity and cyber defence, particularly of key critical infrastructures; enhance the security of research while enhancing research in security-related fields; tackle hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference; enhance the resilience, security, and stability of ICT supply chains, including beyond its borders; tackle cybercrime through joint operation, including through bilateral and multilateral cooperation; and promote trusted suppliers of digital technologies, including in dual-use technologies such as AI and quantum.
- Shape global digital governance and standards with a network of partners. The EU will continue to promote its values-based approach on digital governance and digital standards to shape a global digital transformation that is human-centric, trustworthy, and respects human rights and fundamental freedoms. By acting decisively, the EU can be a driving force of responsibly guided technological advancement on the global stage.
Areas of cooperation
Regarding cooperation with partner countries, the focus will be on priority areas, such as secure connectivity, emerging technologies (Artificial Intelligence, 5G/G6, semiconductors, quantum technologies), cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, and online platforms (including the protection of children online, freedom of speech and respect of privacy).
Next steps
The International Digital Strategy for the European Union places an emphasis on deepening its existing partnerships such as Digital Partnerships, Digital Dialogues, among others, through new cooperation initiatives and projects, as well as building new Partnerships and Dialogues. It will also connect these partnerships through a Digital Partnership Network.
Collaboration with partner countries is planned to advance under the Global Gateway and through the new Security and Defence Partnerships to be formed with like-minded allies. Lines between online and offline threats are increasingly blending into one another, resulting in a need for better cooperation between the EU and its partner to mitigate the implications stemming from technology misuse.
The EU will develop an integrated Tech Business Offer for partner countries, combining private and public investment with policy solutions. Tailoring and combining tech components via a modular approach aims to create a package of mutual benefits with partner countries, including capacity-building measures. It will be jointly managed by the EU and Member States, and closely involve companies, innovators, relevant EU trade associations and chambers of commerce.
Further reading
Check out the main updates around the new EU International Digital Strategy via a dedicated page on the website of the Commission. There is also a factsheet you can download and a press release, announcing the strategy's launch. Further details can be found in the Joint Communication for the International Digital Strategy of the EU and its Annex.
