Six countries bordering the North Sea signed an agreement on 9 April to jointly protect the underwater infrastructure from possible (Russian) attacks.
The signatories include Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Norway and the Netherlands - only France is missing.
The North Sea is Europe's powerhouse, driving forward renewable energy ambitions and helping to increase energy security on the continent and in the UK.
Destroyed gas pipelines Nordstream1 and 2 Image: Maptiller-OpenStreetMap
Following the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in September 2022 and the sabotaged submarine cables in the Baltic Sea, the infrastructure in the North Sea has also been declared a security priority. In May 2023, NATO also declared that Russia could well sabotage submarine cables in order to "punish" Western countries for their support of Ukraine. Global security risks have also increased further since the war in Gaza.
Previous damage to critical infrastructure. Graphic: SWP
It is therefore crucial that the critical energy infrastructure in the North Sea is protected.
This agreement strengthens relations with our main northern European neighbours and ensures that infrastructure is resilient to those who would threaten or destroy it, said the UK Minister for Nuclear and Renewable Energy.
Source: Euractiv, kdk
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