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"A detailed regional strategy should be developed to strengthen the resilience of energy supply, communications and transport networks, including a concrete action plan for threat prevention, and this should be coordinated with national initiatives and existing European Union and NATO legal acts relating to the protection of critical infrastructure," said Andris Kulbergs, Chair of the Working Group on Energy Security, Self-Sufficiency, Resilience and Connectivity of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference.

The Working Group, which gathered in the Tallinn, capital of Estonia, for its final meeting, emphasizes that such a strategy should focus not only on infrastructure security, but also on close cooperation between state, commercial and civil actors. With a particular focus on digital security, the members of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference Working Group call for the launch of a joint financing initiative to ensure and develop open-source digital infrastructure which is essential for the connectivity and resilience of the Baltic Sea region. It is also important to establish mechanisms for early risk detection and response, while strengthening cyber security capabilities in the areas of electricity transmission, digital communications and port operations.

"Given the growing hybrid threats and geopolitical instability, the countries of the Baltic Sea region are determined to strengthen cooperation to protect critical infrastructure and build a more resilient digital environment," said Jānis Vucāns, Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly, who also participated in the Working Group meeting.

In light of evolving security threats, the meeting also focused on joint maritime infrastructure protection, including the security of submarine cables and other critical systems. Attention was also paid to cyber security preparedness, emphasizing its strategic importance and the possibility of using cyber security training grounds for national and alliance-wide exercises. Discussions particularly emphasized the need to develop digital infrastructure that is both secure and adaptable to future technological developments.

At the meeting in Tallinn, parliamentarians, together with experts and representatives of relevant institutions, also discussed Ukraine's experience in energy security, the protection of maritime infrastructure from the perspective of international maritime law, the recent disconnection of the Baltic states from the BRELL energy system, as well as energy security in the field of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

The Working Group members visited the Estonian Parliament, the Navy, the International Centre for Defence and Security, the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the cyber security training ground in Tallinn.

Alongside Andris Kulbergs, the Working Group meeting was also attended by Jānis Vucāns, Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly, Uģis Rotbergs, Chair of the Security and Defence Committee of the Baltic Assembly, and Kaspars Briškens, Member of the Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee of the Baltic Assembly.

The Working Group on Energy Security, Self-Sufficiency, Sustainability and Connectivity of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference was established in response to the increased need for energy security and self-sufficiency in the Baltic Sea region, to explore and recommend strategies that promote energy independence, sustainable development and greater resilience in all member states. "Working together, we have held six meetings and addressed a wide range of issues, from sustainable transport and electricity grid integration to civil preparedness and digital resilience. Our findings and recommendations will help to draft the resolution of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, which will be discussed at the annual conference scheduled for August this year in Mariehamn, Åland," said Andris Kulbergs, Chair of the Working Group.

The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference is a regional parliamentary cooperation platform established to promote dialogue and policy development between the parliaments of the Baltic Sea region.

Photos from the meeting of the Working Group available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/albums/72177720326218042/with/54530240929
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Saeima Press Service