EU and Japan strengthen tech and digital partnership
The EU and Japan held their third Digital Partnership Council in Tokyo to enhance their tech and digital cooperation.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, co-chaired the meeting with Masaaki Taira, Minister for Digital Transformation, Masashi Adachi, State Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, and Shinji Takeuchi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Vice-President Virkkunen stated: “Today in Tokyo, we have reinforced the already strong EU-Japan digital partnership. Deepening our work on core technologies is now more important than ever. This strategic partnership holds real economic significance for both the EU and Japan, and I look forward to advancing it.”
Amid current global geopolitical uncertainties, the EU and Japan reaffirmed the growing importance of their partnership. They recognize the need to boost their competitiveness and promote a values-driven approach to global digital governance. Additionally, they aim to strengthen their economic security by fostering resilience in critical digital technologies.
Tomorrow, Vice-President Virkkunen and Japanese Minister Minoru Kiuchi will sign a Letter of Intent on quantum technology to enhance cooperation in quantum science and technology.
The fourth Digital Partnership Council is planned for 2026 in Brussels.
More information is available in a press release and a joint statement online.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier - Tel. +32 2 299 10 99; Nika Blazevic - Tel. +32 2 299 27 17)
Commission disburses third payment of €293 million to Latvia under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
On Friday, 9 May, the Commission disbursed €293 million in grants to Latvia as its third payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
On 28 December 2024, Latvia submitted to the Commission the third request for payment under the RRF. The request covers 27 milestones and 11 targets, relating to several reforms, such as in the areas of the green transition, digital transformation, and health care, as well as investments for purchasing 35,000 laptops for pupils from socially vulnerable groups, new facilities for long-term care services, and strengthening the capacity of public administration.
On 18 February 2025, the Commission adopted a positive preliminary assessment of Latvias payment request. The favorable opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee of the Council on the payment request paved the way for the Commission to adopt a final decision on the disbursement of the funds.
The overall recovery and resilience plan of Latvia is financed by €1.97 billion in grants. This disbursement brings the funds paid out to Latvia under the Recovery and Resilience Facility to €1 billion, which corresponds to 56% of all the funds in the Latvian recovery and resilience plan, with 38% of the milestones and targets in the plan fulfilled.
An interactive map providing examples of reforms and investments supported by the Recovery and Resilience Facility is available online. More information on the RRF payment claim process is also available online.
Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “Another major milestone reached. Todays disbursement of €293 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility is very good news for Latvia and its citizens. It supports important reforms and funds investments which bring tangible benefits for Latvias inhabitants, such as providing 35,000 laptops to pupils and constructing more than 300 low-rent apartments across Latvias regions.”
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel: +32 229-66483; Rüya Perincek - Tel: +32 460 76 25 10)