Estonian Ambassador's Visit to North Rhine-Westphalia Strengthens Cybersecurity and Economic Ties Between Estonia and Germany
The diplomatic visit marked new avenues for cooperation
November 08th, 2024
Estonia’s Ambassador to Germany, Marika Linntam, accompanied by Economic and Trade Councilor Roomet Sõrmus, recently completed a diplomatic visit to North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany. From November 3rd to the 5th, a series of high-level meetings emphasized the growing collaboration between Estonia and NRW, focusing on cyber security, economic development, and military industry cooperation.
The delegation's agenda included insightful discussions in Bonn on Monday, where Ambassador Linntam met with Dr. Gerhard Schabhüser, Vice President of the Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (BSI), to exchange perspectives on the rapidly evolving cyber security landscape. Estonia, widely recognized for its innovative approach to digitalization and cybersecurity, reaffirmed its role as a trusted partner. Later, representatives of the Bonn cybersecurity community joined the Ambassador and her team for a working dinner at the Digital Hub to explore joint opportunities, with support from CybExer and Nortal, leading companies in cybersecurity solutions.
On Tuesday, the Ambassador held discussions with Nathanael Liminski, Minister for Federal, European, and International Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, focusing on economic cooperation in digitalization, cybersecurity, and defense sectors. Acknowledging Minister Liminski's unwavering support for Ukraine, Ambassador Linntam emphasized Estonia’s commitment to bolstering strategic partnerships across the region. The dialogue continued with Paul Höller, Secretary of State in the NRW Ministry of Economy, and representatives from NRW.Global Business, who explored strategies to strengthen bilateral economic exchanges.
A notable aspect of the visit was the Ambassador's tour of Tactical Foodpack’s new facility in Hilden. Tactical Foodpack, an Estonian company specializing in high-quality freeze-dried meals for outdoor and military use, represents Estonia’s cutting-edge manufacturing and its growth in the German market. Concluding the visit, Ambassador Linntam attended a reception at the Cologne Philharmonic, honoring the Estonian Sinfonietta concert. This cultural event, graced by Cologne’s Mayor Henriette Reker, celebrated Estonia's rich cultural contributions and its strong economic and diplomatic presence in Germany.
