Catalonia and the Faroe Islands agree to pursue cooperation and new solutions based on Advanced Digital Technologies

• The Catalan minister Jordi Puigneró met this morning with the prime minister of the Faroe Islands, Aksel V. Johannesen
• Catalonia and Faroe Islands have reached a collaboration agreement to cooperate in developing government policies in the spheres of e-governance and the digital economy
• They will share know-how and work together to develop new technology-based solutions, and cooperate in other digital areas such as artificial intelligence, data protection and respect for digital rights

The Catalan Minister for Digital Policy and Public Administration, Jordi Puigneró, and the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands, Aksel V. Johannesen, the Deputy Prime Minister, Høgni Hoydal, the Minister of Finance and Digitalisation, Kristina Háfoss, had a curtesy call this morning at the government headquarters, Tinganes, in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands.

The two governments have reached a collaboration agreement between the respective administrations and ministers, Minister Jordi Puigneró and Minister Kristina Háfoss, in order to define a joint programme and collaborate in developing government policy in the spheres of e-governance and the digital economy.

The parties agreed that digital development is one of the keys to generating inclusive economic growth and that administrations need to provide effective public services able to operate at maximum efficiency. In addition to the matters outlined in the agreement, they have tackled other issues of mutual interest, such as the drive to create a digital identity for citizens and cyber security issues.

The agreement envisages an exchange of information, experiences and solutions in these two spheres of action between Catalonia and the Faroe Islands, as well as the organisation of joint events and business missions and advisory processes, in addition to their participation at international conferences and visits, among other initiatives.

During the visit of Puigneró to the Faroe Islands, the Catalan minister also visited the the Parliament of Faroe Islands and the public ICT administration Føroya Gjaldstova, which houses the National Digitalisation Programme of the Faroe Islands. Furthermore, he visited the largest Faroese telecom Føroya Tele, the Telecommunications Authority of the Faroe Islands, the Power Company SEV, the Sub-Sea tunnel company, the University of the Faroe Islands, the Start-up hub, representatives for the Faroese IT industry, and the Faroe Islands Parliament.

Among the people Minister Puigneró met, were the Speaker of the Faroese Parliament, Páll á Reynatúgvu, the Mayor of Tórshavn the capital, Annika Olsen and the head of the House of Industry of the Faroe Islands, Marita Rasmussen.

Both territories will share information and know-how on aspects learned in terms of creating a modern digital infrastructure.

In addition, they have also agreed to work together to promote the presence of women in the ICT sector and their participation in the digital economy. An agreement has also been made to undertake joint initiatives to develop pilot projects in areas related to digitalisation, 5G and digital start-up’s.  

(Aksel V. Johannesen and Jordi Puigneró)

Monday, 4 February 2019