Ambassadors at FSS: We are ready to help the Czech Republic with digitization, say Baltic diplomats

The lecture of Baltic diplomats was the second to last of this semester’s series of lectures given by European ambassadors as a part of the course How do they see us? The Czech Republic and its European partners. The Latvian ambassador Gunta Pastore, the Estonian ambassador Gita Kalmet and the Lithuanian ambassador Laimonas Talat-Kelpša visited the Faculty of Social Studies last week. All three ambassadors consider the relations with the Czech Republic to be very good. “However, we should cooperate more, be more visible. In fact, that is also the reason why we accepted the invitation to come to the university,” said the Lithuanian diplomat.

What topics have you dealt with so far as ambassadors in the Czech Republic?

GK, Estonia: Our biggest priority right now is of course the situation in Ukraine. It is what takes up most of our time. The Czech Republic is a great partner in this matter. We share your views, and that is why we also like to follow and support your steps.

LT, Lithuania: I completely agree. However, if we talk about the situation before the invasion of Ukraine, we dealt with the Vrbětice case, for example. All Baltic states expressed solidarity with the Czech Republic and supported the Czech government in this difficult diplomatic situation. We were also the first ones to ask Russian diplomats to leave our countries. The situation in Belarus connected with the president Lukashenko was also a matter which we paid close attention to.

What do our countries have in common?

GP, Latvia: I see a lot of similarities. One of them is surely history. We have a similar historical experience with Russia, which is also the reason why we are the front liners in supporting Ukraine. Both of our countries are very active in the European Union. We have been its members for eighteen years now, and so, as long-term members, we should be taken seriously, no matter how big we are as countries.

GK, Estonia: That is true. Estonia was very scared when it entered the European Union, we were afraid of the big countries. Now, that has changed. What is happening in Ukraine, paradoxically, helped us, the countries on the east, to find our true voice and be heard. Now it is us who lead the support coming from the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance.

LT, Lithuania: There are a lot of similarities. From the specific diacritic we use in written language to beer consumption. We also buy tanks from the Czech Republic.

Digitization cannot work without public trust

Where we differ a lot, on the other hand, is the level of digitization. The Baltic countries are frequently talked about in connection with digitization while the Czech Republic lags behind, according to experts. What is your key to success?

GK, Estonia: Everything depends on the public trust towards digitization. Technology is the same everywhere, the real change must happen in the society. When the President of the Czech Senate Miloš Vystrčil visited Estonia in autumn, he was not impressed by our technical solutions, but the trust people have in the electronic solutions. In the end, what steps your country takes in order to move forward in digitization is up to you. However, Estonia is always here to help you.

GP, Latvia: I completely agree. Latvia was the first country to create the so-called e-parliament when the pandemic started. We have a lot of experience in digitization and we are more than happy to share.

LT, Lithuania: First of all, it is important to take notice of a problem and start finding the possible solutions. That is a matter of technology. After that, you need to make sure that the solution is available at the government level for the whole population, that it is available to everyone. But as we said, in the end, everything depends on trust. People simply must want to use the technological solutions.

In general, where do you see the biggest issues in digitization?

LT, Lithuania: In most countries, the biggest issue is the fact that the collected data are not integrated, they are not connected. They are owned by individual institutions that do not want to share them. That has to change.

GK, Estonia: I see it the same way. To own data means to have great power. Nevertheless, we should be able to share them. For example, I think that international e-prescriptions are amazing. If the Czech Republic started using them, it would surely help loads of people who are traveling between our countries.

Our task is to help Ukraine

You mentioned that the Czech Republic and the Baltic states have a similar historical experience with Russia. In your opinion, how should the conflict evolve?

GK, Estonia: The withdrawal of Russian tanks from Ukraine’s territory would be a great success. But of course, it is not only about this one step…

LT, Lithuania: Yes, the withdrawal of Russian tanks is the first step. To acquire lasting peace, though, we have to investigate all war crimes. Those who have committed them must be accordingly punished, including Putin. I hope that Russian citizens will cooperate with us in this respect.

GP, Latvia: Ukraine simply must win.

Are you afraid that the war could spread to your countries?

GP, Latvia: If Ukrainians continue to defend themselves with such courage, and we will continue to help them, the war will be over and there will be no reason to worry. Our task right now is primarily to help Ukraine.

GK, Estonia: Exactly, because right now Ukraine is fighting for all of us, for Europe.

LT, Lithuania: And what is more, we are already a part of this war. The Czech Republic has already accepted more than three hundred thousand refugees, Lithuania around fifty thousand, Latvia approximately thirty thousand and Estonia around twenty-four thousand. By accepting refugees, introducing sanctions, supplying arms and providing humanitarian aid, we share the cost and the burden of this war.

What do you think about the steps the Czech Republic has taken in helping war refugees?

GP, Latvia: We can only applaud you. The former Dean of Masaryk University and current Prime Minister Petr Fiala is doing a fantastic job in handling the situation.

LT, Lithuania: The Czech Republic is truly doing amazing work. Not only do you receive refugees efficiently, but you also mobilize the support in the European Union and in the North Atlantic Alliance.