RIGA - Protecting critical infrastructure requires a common legal framework to protect underwater infrastructure and a rapid response mechanism, according to a statement adopted on Tuesday by parliamentarians from countries of the Baltic Sea region.
As LETA was told at the Saeima press office, Latvian lawmakers this week participated in the 34th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), which took place in Mariehamn, Aland Islands. At the conference, parliamentarians from Baltic Sea countries agreed on strategic directions to address the region's security, climate and democracy challenges.
"We agreed to strengthen the security of the Baltic Sea region, paying particular attention to hybrid threats, acts of sabotage targeting underwater infrastructure, the activities of the Russian shadow fleet and the risks posed by uninsured tankers, as well as coordination between NATO and the European Union (EU) in the field of maritime security," said Janis Vucans (Greens/Farmers), President of the Baltic Assembly (BA) and head of the Latvian delegation.
He added that parliamentarians called for a permanent Baltic Sea Security Mission.
In a discussion on energy security, parliamentarians paid particular attention to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, the resilience of regional energy systems and the protection of critical infrastructure, as well as the modernization of energy infrastructure and a fair transition process.
Andris Kulbergs (United List), who chaired the conference's workgroup on security, self-sufficiency, resilience and connectivity, said that the parliamentarians have concluded two years of work and made practical recommendations to strengthen the region's energy security.
"During the two years, we not only developed theoretical solutions, but also visited sites of strategic importance, gaining a first-hand insight into the most important challenges," said Kulbergs, who stressed that the group's conclusions were unanimous, namely that the Baltic Sea region is a priority target for hybrid threats and that Russia's aggression in Ukraine is an instructive but harsh lesson.
The insights gained need to be translated into concrete actions that shape policies and drive real change, Kulbergs stressed. The workgroup called on all stakeholders - governments, parliaments and the public - to take note of the material and engage in its implementation.
The task force worked on issues such as strengthening regional energy systems and developing renewable energy capacity, protecting critical infrastructure against hybrid attacks, maritime security and naval coordination, improving mobility and logistics for both civilian and military use, and developing digital infrastructure and cyber security capabilities.
At the end of the conference, it was decided to establish a workgroup for strengthening cyber security and information resilience, which will work for two years and submit its first report next year at the 35th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference.
In their resolution, the parliamentarians also expressed their strong support for the people of Greenland and their inalienable right to decide on their own country and future. The conference also expressed its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and for Ukraine's EU membership.
The conference highlighted environmental protection and sustainability, including the development of fish stock recovery plans, green shipping corridors and the digitization of marine protected areas.
The Latvian delegation attending the BSPC included Saeima Vice Speaker Antonina Nenaseva (Progressives), Vucans, Kulbergs, and Kaspars Briskens (Progressives), chair of the Saeima Economic Affairs Committee and a member of the Latvian delegation to the BA.
The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) was established in 1991 as a forum for political dialogue between parliamentarians from the Baltic Sea Region. BSPC aims at raising awareness and opinion on issues of current political interest and relevance for the Baltic Sea Region. It promotes and drives various initiatives and efforts to support a sustainable environmental, social and economic development of the Baltic Sea Region. It strives at enhancing the visibility of the Baltic Sea Region and its issues in a wider European context.
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