Lithuania has officially joined the forefront of quantum technology development. The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Aušrinė Armonaitė, signed the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies, aligning Lithuania with numerous other nations committed to advancing this high-potential field. This move signifies Lithuania’s dedication to contributing to a world-class quantum technology ecosystem in Europe.
“Quantum technologies have the potential to open up many new opportunities in fields ranging from computing to space exploration. It is a technology of strategic importance and will determine the competitiveness of Europe as a whole. We need to work together and pool our countries’ scientific and technological potential to make Europe the world’s leading developer of quantum technologies and innovation,” said Minister Armonaitė.
The declaration, already endorsed by 24 EU countries, aims to synchronize European, national, and regional research and development programs and initiatives in quantum technologies. It seeks to foster the development of advanced infrastructure and accelerate the transition from laboratory research to industrial applications. This will be achieved by promoting collaboration between science and business and investing in startups focused on quantum innovations.
The European Commission identifies quantum technologies as a key area that will bolster Europe’s economic security and technological independence. Quantum advancements are expected to drive progress across multiple sectors, including computing, secure communications, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, security, and space exploration.
“We need to harness the scientific excellence in quantum technologies and boost the commercialization of research results, so collaboration between science and business is crucial. It is also important to continue to invest in strengthening the innovation ecosystem and to provide programs to develop the skills and attract talent needed in this area,” added Neringa Morozaitė-Rasmussen, Deputy Minister for Economy and Innovation.
The declaration was launched at the Lithuanian Quantum Ecosystem event organized by Baltic Sandbox Ventures. The event highlighted the latest achievements and trends in quantum technologies and facilitated discussions on the commercialization and ecosystem development in Lithuania.
Established at the end of last year, the Lithuanian Quantum Technology Association aims to unite science and business representatives interested in advancing quantum technologies and contributing to the country’s progress. The association has already brought together ecosystem representatives for collaborative discussions.
By signing the European Declaration on Quantum Technologies, Lithuania reaffirms its commitment to being at the cutting edge of this transformative field, ensuring that the nation plays a significant role in the future of quantum innovation in Europe.