Sauli Niinisto and Toomas Hendrik Ilves. Tallinn, 17.05.2016. Photo: president.ee

"We can set an example for the rest of Europe to show how today's convenient e-services, such as e-prescription, can become a cross-border service. To achieve that goal, we promptly need to reach a common understanding about legal solutions and the shaping of processes, as this is the only way to use these opportunities offered by technology," Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said at "FinEst Future Forum," an event organized by the Mektory innovation and business center of Tallinn University of Technology.

Niinisto acknowledged the flexibility and ability of Estonian national authorities to adjust in adopting and implementing e-services and mentioned the need to find new, future-oriented solutions amid toughening global competition and continued economic recession.

"Start-up companies that focus on outsourcing new, successful business models are an example that should be followed in the general economy," the Finnish head of state said. "Finland has a lot to learn from Estonia's e-governance efforts."

Ilves, who has been an initiator of Estonian-Finnish digital cooperation for many years, emphasized that the agreement on cross-border data exchange and development of services between Estonia and Finland, which was signed last week by the prime ministers of our two countries, will set an example for the whole European Union.

Should the European Union fail to go along with the opportunities offered by digital world, it will become a beautiful museum, Ilves said, and called on Estonia and Finland to jointly tackle the prevailing notions that are characteristic of the 19th century.

"We – Estonia and Finland – can show the European Union that it is possible to move data and that the process works effectively. This would make the close cooperation between Estonia and Finland a future model for many others," Ilves said.

The participants in the forum included the Finnish ambassador to Estonia, Kirsti Narinen, LHV board member Erkki Raasuke, Teleport co-founder and manager Sten Tamkivi, entrepreneur Lenina Rautonen, and the president of Slush, Marianne Vikkula.