Digital partnerships

Digital partnerships have proved a vital component in creating unity and connection across the EU and the world. By collaborating with like-minded countries, the EU is able to tackle the digital divide and strengthen its ties beyond Europe.

In keeping with the Digital Compass strategy, which aims to make Europe a digitally connected continent by 2030, the EU has committed to building strong partnerships using the four pillars of The Digital Compass - skills, infrastructures, transformation of business and of public services. The International Digital Strategy reinforced this approach, placing an emphasis on deepening existing partnerships to strengthen international digital cooperation.

The EU currently has four partnerships with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Canada. 

All partnerships aim to increase cooperation between the EU and compatible countries, fostering a safe, fair, inclusive and equal digital space and create a set of standards that can be used globally. The partnerships meet annually during the Digital Partnership Council.

The first digital partnership was signed with Japan in May 2022, during the 28th EU-Japan Summit.

This partnership focused on safety and security in the following areas:

• Secure 5G
• Beyond 5G/6G technologies
• Safe and ethical applications of artificial intelligence
• The resilience of global supply chains in the semiconductor industry

On 30 April 2024, the EU and Japan held their second Digital Partnership Council. The partners took stock of the progress achieved since the first Digital Partnership Council in 2023 and agreed on a list of new deliverables to further cooperate on core digital technologies:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Connectivity (5G and 6G)
• Semiconductors
• High performance computing (HPC)
• Quantum technology
• Collaboration in data and platform economy
• Submarine cables
• Electronical identification (eID)
• Cybersecurity

On 12 May 2025, the EU and Japan held their third Digital Partnership Council, where both sides announced new deliverables, to further cooperate on areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, online platforms, submarine cables, cybersecurity, 5G, 6G and semiconductors. Both sides reaffirmed the increasing relevance of the Digital Partnership and joint collaboration it stimulates in the context of geopolitical challenges.

On  23 July 2025, in the context of the EU-Japan Summit 2025, the Commission's services signed a cooperation arrangement with the Japan Fair Trade Commission with the common goal of promoting contestability, competition and fairness in digital markets.

On 25 March 2026, the EU and Japan held their 9th Digital Policy Dialogue in Tokyo, to enhance cooperation in key digital areas, such as semiconductors, quantum technologies, online platforms, artificial intelligence policies, cyber resilience and data economy policies.. 

On 27 March 2026, the 31st EU-Japan ICT dialogue took place in Tokyo, to strengthen collaboration and discuss policy updates and cooperation opportunities on artificial intelligence, secure connectivity, 5G/6G, online platforms, quantum and cybersecurity.

In November 2022, a partnership with the Republic of Korea was launched. This digital partnership saw both parties agree to cooperate on:

• Semiconductors
• Next generation mobile networks
• Quantum and High-Performance Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Artificial Intelligence
• Platforms, data and skills

On 26 March 2024, the EU and the Republic of Korea held the second Digital partnership Council in Brussels. The EU and Korea reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in key digital technologies for the benefit of citizens and economies agreed on a list of key areas to further cooperate:

• Semiconductors
• 5G and beyond
• Quantum technology
• Platforms
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Cybersecurity
• Network connectivity

On 10 March 2025, the EU and the Republic of Korea concluded a landmark Digital Trade Agreement, connecting their digital economies to bring benefits to businesses and consumers alike, while upholding rules-based, open and fair trade.

The 3rd Digital Partnership Council took place on 28 November 2025. At this Council, the EU and the ROK reinforced their cooperation on research and innovation of emerging technologies, focusing on 6G, AI, quantum technology, and semiconductors. They will continue collaborative research projects, for example, the development of advanced chips to power AI and autonomous driving applications.

On 1 February 2023, the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership was signed, continuing to strengthen the EU's partnerships in Asia. The partnership was announced jointly by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Lee at the EU-ASEAN summit in December 2022. This partnership has prioritised digital transformation and skills, further bridging the digital divide. They aim to work together on:

• Semiconductors
• Trusted data flows and data innovation
• Digital trust
• Standards
• Digital trade facilitation
• Digital skills for workers
• The digital transformation of businesses and public services

At their 2nd Digital Partnership Council meeting on 1 December 2025, EU and Singapore reaffirmed their cooperation across digital areas to enhance competitiveness, innovation, and shape digital rules and standards. Both parties discussed areas for future collaboration targeting:

• AI and language models
• Online platform safety
• Interoperable digital identity systems
• Cybersecurity resilience
• Data flows
• Joint research in semiconductors and quantum technologies

On 24 November 2023, the EU and Canada launched a Digital Partnership to reinforce cooperation on digital issues during the 19th EU-Canada Summit. The partnership reflects a shared vision for a positive and human-centric digital economy and society. The EU and Canada agreed to work together on:

• Connectivity
• Digital identity, data governance and data spaces
• Artificial Intelligence
• Semiconductors
• Quantum technologies
• Cyber security
• Foreign information manipulation and disinformation
• Research

On 8 December 2025, the EU and Canada held its first meeting of the Digital Partnership Council in Montréal. Both sides recognise the importance the Digital Partnership plays in advancing their interests to boost competitiveness, innovation and economic resilience. They also recognise the potential of the Digital Partnership to promote business-to-business exchanges, including for start ups and to accelerate investments in the technology sector.