Mihkelson and Stoicescu: The pattern of underwater infrastructure damages is worrying

Mihkelson and Stoicescu acknowledged the exchange of information between Estonian authorities as well as the visibly improved readiness of NATO and EU coastal states to react swiftly and inspect suspected vessels. According to them, such vessels must always be inspected very thoroughly before they are allowed to continue their journey.

The Chairmen of the Committees think that the Allies should have a better overview of sanctioned vessels currently sailing in the Baltic Sea, as this will allow them to increase the speed of response if necessary. “We also believe that NATO’s capability to have an overview of the developments below the water’s surface in the Baltic Sea must be strengthened as well. Having situational awareness of the developments on the surface of the sea only is no longer sufficient,” they pointed out after today’s meeting, where the agencies gave an overview of the situation.

Mihkelson and Stoicescu noted that the pattern of damaging or disruption of underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression in Ukraine was evident. “Nothing like this has ever happened before. There are clear reasons for this trend, which cannot be explained solely by negligence, undersea deficiencies and accidents. There is a lot of work ahead to identify the real causes,” they said.

The Chairmen of the Committees reaffirmed that they considered the continuation of the NATO joint effort, the Baltic Sentry mission, very necessary. “At the same time, NATO and the EU allies need to continue enhancing their cooperation and information sharing,” they said. “NATO and the EU must not refrain from acting as masters in the Baltic Sea. This is a new reality that Russia, which demands from others that they should take into account the new reality, must learn to live with.”

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu discussed the damaging of the submarine cable between Latvia and Sweden in the Baltic Sea at its today’s sitting. National Security and Defence Coordination Director of the Government Office Erkki Tori and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk gave an overview of the situation. Chairman of the National Defence Committee also participated in the sitting.

The Bill on Amendments to the Estonian Defence Forces Organisation Act and the Economic Zone Act (enhancing maritime security) (565 SE), initiated by the Government, was submitted for proceedings in the Riigikogu last week. The Bill specifies the state supervision tasks of the Defence Forces and the use of military force in the territorial waters of Estonia to enhance Estonia’s maritime security. The Bill will ensure that the Defence Forces will have sufficient flexibility to operate at sea, so that they would be ready to respond rapidly to threats that come from the sea. The National Defence Committee will be the lead committee of the Bill.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Mihkelson and Stoicescu: The pattern of underwater infrastructure damages is worrying

Source: Parliament of Estonia