Want to find out more about digital developments, future priorities and the policy agenda for Eastern partner countries? The EU4Digital Initiative is organising two events dedicated to the topic of digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership. On 14 November 2023, the Digital Conference for the Eastern Partnership will provide a space for wider discussion and anyone who is interested in participating will be welcome. On 15 November 2023, invited members of the EU4Digital Phase II Steering Committee will meet to discuss the flagship regional EU4Digital Initiative and projects.

The State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Romanian Customs Authority have completed a successful eCustoms pilot to enhance the facilitation of trade. They tested the exchange of electronic data at the Porubne-Siret border crossing point during 19-26 June 2023. The successful cooperation was closely supported by the EU4Digital Facility, the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) and the Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). EU4Digital organised a post-pilot conference on 7 July 2023 with all the parties, to conclude the pilot, discuss results and start planning the next steps.

To strengthen digital development and innovation in Moldova, representatives of the EU4Digital Facility and the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) visited the country on 14-16 June 2023. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and explore initiatives that are advancing the Republic of Moldova’s digital landscape.

Looking for news, resources and other information about digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP)? EU4Digital invites you to explore its newly relaunched website: https://eufordigital.eu/! With the relaunch, the EU4Digital Facility offers its large digital community updated content and an improved user experience.

EU4Digital Facility and European Commission DG NEAR representatives participated in the Moldova Digital Summit 2023 - The Future of Digital on 15-17 June 2023. The event was organised under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova and marked a new stage in the country’s digital transformation. Under the theme ‘Evolve towards our borderless future’, the summit aimed to re-position the ICT field on the regional economic map and build a new image of digital Moldova, with potential for sustainable development.

The Republic of Moldova has advanced the use of remote identification of customers, by improving legislation and launching the development of technological platforms. Recently, legislative amendments clarified the application of eKYC (electronic know your customer) in the financial sector. In addition, the e-Governance Agency launched a project to develop a multi-purpose eKYC technological platform. These changes will support proliferation of the digital economy infrastructure, online transactions and remote working in Moldova, and the development of online businesses, online financial services and digital public services.

The Government of the Republic of Armenia is implementing a national identification gateway system, ‘EsEm’. According to sources within the digitalisation department of the Ministry of High Tech Industry, from 1 January 2024, access to online public service delivery systems in Armenia will be carried out exclusively through the EsEm national identification platform.

Recent developments and upcoming activities in the area of electronic identification (eID) and trust services were the topics of a virtual eTrust Network event on 3 May 2023. The EU4Digital Facility organised the event to focus on eTrust and Cross-border Digital Services activities in the Eastern partner countries. Representatives from Armenia, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan and Ukraine joined the event to review progress and plans.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution in early April, which defines the country’s cybersecurity procedure for responding to cyber-incidents and cyber-attacks. The number of cyber-attacks against Ukraine has grown since the conflict with Russia began. The new resolution will make it possible to react in time and plan cyber-defence measures.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has developed an index of digital transformation in the country’s 24 regions and published the results for 2022. The Digital Transformation Index of Regions allows comparisons to be made, which is important for the analysis, planning and implementation of digital reforms by the regional authorities

The European Union’s commitment to Ukraine’s digital transformation was reaffirmed as part of a joint statement following the 24th EU-Ukraine Summit. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, met in Kyiv on 3 February and issued the statement about EU-Ukraine relations in view of the EU candidate status of Ukraine, the status of the Association Agreement and Ukraine’s EU accession.

The ‘Digital transformation for Ukraine’ (DT4UA) project will improve the efficiency, security and accessibility of public services for citizens and businesses in Ukraine in line with EU requirements. It will also provide rapid response to the needs caused by the war and empower daily governance. The European Union funded project launched in November 2022 with a budget of 17.4 million euro.