Kristen Michal: A more digital and less bureaucratic Europe is a competitive Europe

Entitled "All the Single Markets: From Fragmentation to Competitiveness", the discussion was moderated by Regional Director of POLITICO Europe Jamil Anderlini. The other panellists were President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde, German Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation Karsten Wildberger and Columbia Law School Professor of Law and International Organization Anu Bradford.

The participants agreed that Europe needs more scale and less regulation for businesses. Estonia serves as a good example in this regard for its digital state and minimal red tape.

"Almost all public services in Estonia are digital," explained Prime Minister Michal. "We have good conditions for start-ups, but when they expand, they go where it is easier to do business. If we wanted to act as quickly throughout Europe, we would face a number of obstacles. We shouldn't rush regulation, but let innovation grow."

It is precisely in order to take working methods and competitiveness to the next level that the eesti.ai programme - which aims to increase the value and productivity of work - was created in Estonia in cooperation with tech entrepreneurs and experts. "We have introduced AI studies in a third of schools, and will soon be bringing it to all students," the head of government noted.

Prime Minister Michal says that change must come about in partnership with those who do business on a day-to-day basis. "In Estonia, we worked with entrepreneurs to collect nearly 700 proposals to cut red tape, and many of them have already been implemented," he said. "A similar mindset is needed in Europe."

Government Communication Unit