On November 18-19, 2025, Raimonds Čudars, Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, represented Latvia at the European Digital Sovereignty Summit in Berlin, Germany. The summit, which was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, representatives of European countries and the European Commission, as well as leaders of the technology industry, discussed strengthening Europe's digital independence and promoting competitiveness.
On November 18, Minister Raimonds Čudars participated in several thematic sessions dedicated to simplifying the European Union's digital regulation, developing the innovation and start-up ecosystem, cloud services and data sovereignty, the prospects for the development of artificial intelligence in Europe, as well as the introduction of digital identity solutions and ensuring fair digital markets.
Digital sovereignty for Latvia, as for the European Union as a whole, means both the ability to make democratic and strategic decisions, protect human rights and ensure that technology complies with European values, as well as the ability to develop its own innovations, products and services. As French President Emmanuel Macron also reminded the conference, Europe's goal is not just to be a customer for other countries' technologies, but to create and develop its own value-added solutions.
Minister Raimonds Čudars pointed out that three key elements are necessary to strengthen European digital sovereignty: a simplified and business-friendly environment, a powerful digital infrastructure, and a high level of digital skills and expertise. Recently, significant steps have been taken in the European Union in these areas, particularly with regard to investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and simplification of regulations, outlining specific actions to reduce bureaucracy (Digital Omnibus Package).
Minister Raimonds Čudars also attended a reception hosted by the Austrian Embassy to present the Declaration on European Digital Sovereignty. The Declaration was signed by all 27 Member States of the European Union, including Latvia, confirming their joint commitment to strengthening European digital independence and cooperation, including sharing their accumulated experience in the digital transformation of public administration.
To discuss Latvia's experience in digitizing public services, Minister Raimonds Čudars met with German Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization Dr. Karsten Wildberger on November 19. Minister Raimonds Čudars also met with members of BITKOM. During the talks, Minister Raimonds Čudars emphasized that Latvia's digital modernization story is one of determination, consistent work, and long-term planning, which for more than two decades has been based not on technology as an end in itself, but on the needs of society. In Latvia, digital transformation has always been geared towards the convenience of residents, time savings for entrepreneurs, and more transparent, faster, and data-driven public administration. Minister Raimonds Čudars emphasized that this approach is reinforced by the Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027, which set out strategic directions for modern public administration, promoting a digitally skilled society, secure infrastructure, data use, and innovation as drivers of national development. During the talks, the German representatives highly appreciated Latvia's long-standing experience in the digitization of public services and effective public administration solutions.
At the end of the visit, a discussion was held with the German Association of Cities on the role of local governments in modernizing the country and building public trust in digital solutions.
