Alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines – EU Commission answer

EN
E-003443/2022
Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles
on behalf of the European Commission

The investigations are on-going, under the responsibility of Member States. The European External Action Service, the Commission and the Member States engage in a regular exchange on the threat picture for critical infrastructure. Analysing potentially suspicious movements in the areas of explosions may be part of the on-going investigations by Member States.

On 18 October 2022, the Commission presented a proposal for a Council Recommendation on a coordinated approach by the Union to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure¹. It is proposed that Member States conduct stress tests, starting in the energy sector based on common principles.

The protection of critical maritime infrastructure will be addressed in the update of the EU Maritime Security Strategy². The updated Strategy will include actions to enhance the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, including underwater, as well as maritime transport, energy and communication infrastructure, inter alia by enhancing maritime situational awareness through improved interoperability and streamlined information exchange. In this context, the Commission is supporting the implementation of the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE) with the aim to facilitate the exchange of information between different authorities with responsibility in maritime surveillance.

Several projects aiming at developing underwater capabilities are underway in the framework of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) ensuring greater resilience for critical seabed and underwater infrastructure.

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