Press Advisories

18. 2. 202017:26

Prime Minister Babiš Discusses Cooperation on Cyber Security and Digitisation in Estonia

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš visited Estonia on Monday, 17 February, and Tuesday, 18 February 2020. Together with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, he addressed for example the EU's multi-annual financial framework, cooperation on defence and cyber security or e-Government. In Estonia, the Prime Minister also visited the NATO Centre for Cyber Defence Cooperation, the e-Estonia Briefing Centre and met with the Minister for Foreign Trade and Information Technology and the President of Parliament. On the way, Andrej Babiš was accompanied by his wife Monika.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš began his visit to Estonia by meeting Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. They discussed the issues of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defence and security, both within the EU and NATO, and the current European issues. The topics included in particular the multi-annual financial framework and the deepening of the single internal market, including its digital dimension. At the same time, the Prime Minister highlighted the level of digitisation of the Estonian economy and government.

“We were talking mainly about the Brussels summit, which starts on Thursday and where the multi-annual financial framework will be addressed. The future of Europe in the next seven years will be decided, it is important to clarify positions and seek allies. We also talked about the digitisation of the economy and government, and about cyber security. We want to reach the level of Estonia in digitisation,” said Prime Minister Babiš.

The Prime Minister subsequently visited the NATO Centre for Cyber Defence Cooperation, where three Czech experts are currently working. Every year, the Centre organises the world's largest cyber defence exercise, the so-called Locked Shields. The representatives of the Czech Republic regularly place on the top positions at the exercise. In the years 2017–2019, the Czech team placed first, third and second. The management of the Centre presented the Prime Minister with the tasks and activities that they deal with.

“Cyber security is a big topic for us. Cyber weapons are much more dangerous today than conventional weapons. For example, what happened in the Benešov hospital. It may not happen to us that the hospital be shut down. It is a great lesson for us,” said the Prime Minister.

Mutual cooperation was discussed by Andrej Babiš and the Estonian Minister of Foreign Trade and Information Technologies Kaimar Karu. The exchange of experience in the field of digitisation and social challenges related to the development of technologies were the topic of the meeting. According to the Prime Minister, the Czech Republic is striving for the position of a leader in artificial intelligence.

The visit to the e-Estonia Briefing Centre was one of the highlights of the programme. The Prime Minister had the opportunity to get acquainted with the concept of digitisation of various areas of the Estonian state. These include, for example, healthcare, state administration or the economy.

“Citizens do not even have to go to the office to obtain a driving license. They have completely digital medical documentation. It is very practical. They are able to arrange 90% of services from home,” said Andrej Babiš.

The Czech Prime Minister also visited the transport company Bolt, which mediates passenger transport using a mobile application. The company established right in Estonia now operates in more than 35 countries around the world, including the Czech Republic.

Along with his wife, the Prime Minister laid a wreath on the Freedom Square at the monument to the War of Independence. Andrej Babiš ended the visit to Tallinn by meeting with Estonian President of Parliament Henne Põlluaas.