Jānis Paiders, Deputy State Secretary for Human Capital, Science and Innovation Development at the Ministry of Education and Science, says: "Quantum technologies cover a wide range of industries and include professionals from computer science, physics, electronics, sensor manufacturing, communications and more. Developing these technologies is not only about the singular achievements in each field and of individual scientists but also about cooperation on a broader scale - across sectors and between countries. Collaboration across institutional and national boundaries adds value to scientists and the country, as success attracts new investment and people. It is of utmost importance that people who can work in high-tech areas want to live and work in Latvia and together develop Latvia's competitiveness."
Professor Andris Ambainis of the University of Latvia says, "Latvia has already established excellence in several areas of quantum technology - quantum algorithms, quantum nanoelectronics, quantum sensors and communication. We are already collaborating with Europe's leading quantum computing centres and have jointly created the virtual European Quantum Software Institute, developed joint scientific projects and are a cooperation partner of the European High Performance Computing joint undertaking “EuroHPC” in approbation of the quantum computer in Poland. In Latvia, by establishing the Latvian Quantum Initiative, we have unified stakeholders to coordinate and collaborate on a Latvia’s scale, but joining the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies will open up more opportunities for not only research but also to apply the already gained experience in the development of the entire European region.
Professor Vyacheslavs Kashcheyevs of the University of Latvia, emphasized that “the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies confirms the commitment of EU countries that have established their own national quantum programs or initiatives to cooperate for the common good of Europe. It is an opportunity for Latvia to be a partner amongst most technologically and economically developed countries in the field of quantum technology. Latvian scientists have already proven their competitiveness by writing high-impact publications for the world’s leading scientific journals and winning European grants and projects in competitions with a high bar of excellence. Still, we cannot compete in terms of investment with countries that invest hundreds of millions and even billions to develop quantum technologies. Therefore, cooperation at the level of the entire European Union is also an opportunity for small countries to contributed and benefit from the synergy in the field of high technology, including practical industry research and even product development processes.”
The economic and strategic importance of quantum technologies in the European Union is clearly identified: they have a high priority in ensuring EU sovereignty. This is also confirmed in the European Economic Security Strategy and in the recommendations developed by the European Commission on ten technology areas that are critically important for the economic security of the EU. Activities carried out by the EU, including the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking “EuroHPC”, the ten-year initiative “Quantum Technologies Flagship”, and the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure Initiative “EuroQCI” as well as the creation of the national quantum initiatives of the Member States, are aimed at the development of research and industry, with a total investment of more than 8 billion euros in quantum technologies.
By joining the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies, the Member States undertake to cooperate with each other and jointly with the European Commission to create and develop European research and development programs, to coordinate and develop the development of quantum technology products, the creation of start-ups and the involvement of the business industry, to promote the creation of a unified quantum communication infrastructure and application both on Earth and in space. Also, the member states undertake to jointly implement the attraction of investment, increase the necessary high skills and knowledge, as well as strengthen the economic security of the EU by developing quantum encryption technologies and continuously monitoring the opportunities and risks of cooperating with third countries and international organisations.
Eighteen Member States have signed the declaration so far: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden.
Latvian scientists are already currently involved in EU quantum technology activities – both in the initiative “Quantum Technologies Flagship” and in the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure Initiative “EuroQCI” and the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking “EuroHPC” in approbation of a quantum computer. Also, Latvia’s leading scientists from the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, the Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia and the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of the University of Latvia have established the Latvian Quantum Initiative, which oversees and coordinates activities related to quantum technologies in Latvia. The project “Quantum Technology Initiative”, implemented by the partners of Latvian Quantum Initiative, makes a significant contribution to quantum technology research in Latvia and facilitates the acquisition of high-level digital skills valuable for the future labour market. The project is funded by the European Union Recovery Fund.
 Member States have signed a declaration on quantum technologies, recognising the strategic importance of quantum technologies for the EU's scientific and industrial competitiveness and committing to collaborate on the development of a world-class quantum technology ecosystem across Europe. The declaration aims to make Europe the "quantum valley" of the world, the leading region globally for quantum excellence and innovation.){kind=link}