United States, EU, and Romania release joint statement condemning submarine cable assaults
Romania has joined a global initiative to safeguard the security and resilience of critical submarine infrastructure, a vital part of modern-day infrastructure that transports high-voltage direct current and about 95% of global data traffic.
The endorsement was made during a bilateral meeting between Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Joint Declaration on the Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables in a Global Digitalized World aims to align concrete actions for the protection of these vital infrastructures.
The diplomatic effort is in response to concerns about sabotage incidents, cyberattacks, and hybrid campaigns targeting critical infrastructure. Fears of sabotage from the Russian "shadow fleet" have been expressed by EU and US officials since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The protection of critical submarine infrastructure is an international priority, according to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Romania, as a participant in NATO and the European Union, is actively involved in protecting critical submarine infrastructure within these organisations.
The Joint Declaration focuses on enhancing the security, resilience, and coordination related to submarine cable infrastructure through multilateral cooperation mechanisms. Key actions include establishing a Joint Working Group to discuss policy issues and foster cooperation for increased security and resilience of submarine cables.
The initiative supports a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder approach, involving governmental, academic, and industrial sectors to build secure, diverse, and resilient submarine cable networks. The EU and Japan, representative of allied efforts involving the US and Romania indirectly, emphasize cooperation on cybersecurity aspects linked to submarine cables.
Romania will continue to contribute to the strengthening of protection for submarine infrastructure in the Black Sea region. While the exact, detailed actions by Romania and the US beyond Romania's formal adherence and general coordination are less explicitly detailed, the establishment of frameworks like the Joint Working Group by the EU and Japan, and the commitment from Romania coordinated with the US and EU suggests their active participation in high-level policy coordination, strategic dialogue, and technical cooperation to improve submarine cable security and resilience.
The efforts will be carried out both through international organizations and the implementation of commitments undertaken by NATO leaders at the Washington Summit. Romania, as a key player in the Black Sea region, has a direct interest in protecting submarine cables due to its location on the Black Sea and its status as a regional technological hub. The Joint Declaration is a significant step towards ensuring the security and resilience of global digital infrastructure.
[1] Joint Declaration on the Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables in a Global Digitalized World
[2] The Joint Declaration on the Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables in a Global Digitalized World
[3] Romania Endorses Joint Declaration on Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables
[4] EU-Japan Cooperation on Submarine Cable Security
[5] Romania Joins Joint Declaration on Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables
- The global initiative to safeguard the security and resilience of critical submarine infrastructure involves not only Romania, but also other nations, as exemplified by the Joint Declaration on the Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables in a Global Digitalized World.
- The Joint Declaration on the Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables in a Global Digitalized World is a response to concerns about potential threats such as sabotage incidents, cyberattacks, and hybrid campaigns that target critical infrastructure.
- Policy and legislation, particularly in areas such as war-and-conflicts, cybersecurity, and general-news, play a significant role in ensuring the security and resilience of critical submarine infrastructure, as highlighted by the Joint Declaration on the Security and Resilience of Submarine Cables in a Global Digitalized World.
- The EU-Japan cooperation on submarine cable security is an important part of allied efforts involving the US and Romania, focusing on cybersecurity aspects linked to submarine cables. This collaboration aims to protect and strengthen the security and resilience of global digital infrastructure.
