Australia’s first ‘pop-up embassy’ has been officially opened in Tallinn, Estonia.
Launching the embassy via video link, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop said it would have a temporary presence for 12 months.
“The embassy will support Australia becoming a participating member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), based in Tallinn,” Ms Bishop said.
“An Australian Defence Force member will be seconded to the centre for three-month periods during the year.”
She said the NATO CCDCOE was a multinational and interdisciplinary hub of cyber defence expertise and welcomed the opportunity for Australia to deepen its engagement with it.
“Now, more than ever, we must engage with the international community to set clear expectations for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace,” Ms Bishop said.
“The international rules-based order applies online, just as it does offline.”
She said that while it was important to be vigilant about the risk, we should not lose sight of the fact that digital technologies are also profound enablers of sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
She said she had launched a project, funded by Australia’s Cyber Cooperation Program, to increase digital service delivery among Governments in the Indo-Pacific region which the Estonia E-Governance Academy and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute would jointly deliver.
“These initiatives are practical fulfilment of the commitment in Australia’s International Cyber Engagement Strategy to promote an open, free and secure internet which drives economic growth, enhances our national security and fosters international stability,” the Minister said.
