Reinsalu: the science agreement and the Three Seas Initiative are practical examples of increasingly diverse cooperation with the United States

Today 19 October, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and the US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth Keith Krach signed an agreement on the extension of the Estonian-US Scientific Cooperation Agreement. They also discussed the new opportunities presented by today’s Three Seas Summit and Web Forum.

Foreign Minister Reinsalu said Estonia highly appreciated the willingness of the United States to advance scientific and technological cooperation with us. “Such cooperation between Estonia and the USA has great potential, but it has not yet been fully tapped in our bilateral relations. Adding digital world topics such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, financial technologies, and digital governance to our agreed areas of collaboration will allow us to boost mutual activities. Our experience and research in developing a digital society gives Estonia a great deal to share, while the United States is one of the global leaders in science and technology. Developing digital topics together is of utmost importance,” Reinsalu explained.

Under Secretary Krach emphasised the importance of the agreement: “Estonia’s digital economy is the envy of the world. Its entrepreneurial spirit and high-tech DNA make Estonia the perfect partner for the United States in the area of science and technology, especially during this time of rapid change. Today’s agreement will be crucial to solving not only the pandemic, but the myriad economic and national security challenges. We appreciate Estonia’s leadership in becoming an early member of the Clean Network and the Blue Dot Network. I am confident that for the United States and E-stonia the best is yet to come.”

The lunch meeting following the signing ceremony included discussions on the future of the Three Seas Initiative. “The strategic partnership between Estonia and the United States is solid and I am happy to note that in addition to close cooperation on security issues, our relations have become increasingly diverse. The Three Seas Initiative is a tangible expression of the economic relationship between Estonia and the United States, and today’s summit demonstrates that it is bursting with energy,” Reinsalu said.

He also presented Keith Krach with a digital e-residency ID. “Keith Krach is a genuine friend of Estonia and an ardent fan of e-Estonia. We wish to increase the digital cooperation between our two nations even further,” the foreign minister said.

Under Secretary Krach is in Estonia for the Three Seas Summit and Web Forum, where he participates in the “Smart Money” panel and a discussion on democracy and connectivity. Everyone is welcome to watch the web forum until 19.00 (Estonian time) at 3seas.eu/live.

Gallery: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmRBncnx

Additional information:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
[email protected]