The study of international experience and the implementation of best practices in digital transformation is an important element in the digitalization agenda of the Republic of Moldova. The current priorities in this field and the possibilities for cooperation and participation in assistance programs implemented by external partners were discussed today, 1 February 2022, during the meeting of the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization Iurie Turcanu with Estonian Ambassador to Moldova Ingrid Kressel and members of the Estonian delegation, representatives of the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs during their working visit to our country.

The delegation of the Estonian Centre for International Development included: Kadri Maasik, Executive Director, Tiina Ilsen, Head of the Eastern Partnership Department, and Marika Kundla, Project Manager. The delegation from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs consisted of Kadi Metsandi, Director of the Office for Development Cooperation, Mari Liis Sulg, Eastern Partnership Region Officer and Maari Ross, Chief Impact Assessment Specialist.

The meeting was also attended by the management of public institutions subordinated to the Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization: Olga Tumuruc, director of the e-Governance Agency, Mircea Esanu, director of the Public Services Agency and Gheorghe Pantaz, director of the Information Technology and Cyber Security Service.

The meeting participants analysed the prospects for developing Moldovan-Estonian bilateral and multilateral cooperation in international projects, given Estonia's broad digitalization experience, as well as the opportunities offered by the Estonian Centre for International Development - a recently established authority providing support to the Eastern Partnership Member States and those aspiring to join the EU in the implementation of reforms.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization Iurie Turcanu pointed out the main directions of activity of the government team in digitalization, including: e-health, e-education, digitalization of the economy and entrepreneurship, but also ensuring cyber security, as a basis for ensuring the functionality of information systems and public confidence in digital solutions.

In turn, the Ambassador of Estonia to the Republic of Moldova, Ingrid Kressel, reiterated her country's continued support for the Republic of Moldova, noting that relations between the two countries are excellent and that for Digitalization and e-governance are on the list of priorities in developing Moldovan-Estonian cooperation.

In this context, the participants also discussed the agenda of the documentary visit to Tallinn of the Deputy Prime Minister Iurie Turcanu and a group of officials from public institutions engaged in digital projects in the Republic of Moldova, which is planned for February, at the invitation of the Estonian side. The purpose of the visit is to exchange experience and study digital projects and solutions that were developed in Estonia and that can be applied in our country, adapted to the needs of the Republic of Moldova.