Joint statement, Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Digitalisation

The Nordic and Baltic countries are at the forefront of digitalisation. With the fast pace of digitalisation and increasing usage of real time data and new technologies such as AI, it becomes more important to strengthen the capacity of digital networks. A secure digital infrastructure, land-based as well as subsea, is a prerequisite for the security, competitiveness and wealth of our nations. Securing our countries’ needs for electronic communications is thus essential. A robust, resilient and redundant digital infrastructure fosters innovation, adoption of digital services and new technology.   

Subsea communication cables are essential for communication within our region but also for European and global connectivity. In the current deteriorating security situation critical infrastructure can be damaged by hybrid activities such as sabotage. Damage can also be caused by completely unintended incidents. We need to ensure that our critical infrastructure is secure. Robustness, resilience and redundancy in the digital infrastructure is of essence, for example through solid repair capabilities. 

With the ongoing policy development within the EU concerning subsea communication cables and an increased NATO cooperation, we the Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Digitalisation would like to highlight the importance of a joint Nordic-Baltic approach.

To enable this, we the Nordic and Baltic Ministers for Digitalisation: 

• RECOGNIZE that the underwater infrastructure for electronic communications constitute a critical infrastructure, essential for securing our countries’ needs for connectivity and competitiveness in the international digital economy.  

• RECOGNIZE that security considerations have become a more essential part in the design and implementation of subsea and land-based infrastructure. 

• ENCOURAGE increased exchange between our countries in matters of joint interest concerning subsea communication cables.  

• EMPHASIZE the need to ensure redundancy in subsea communication cables systems within our region as well as in the infrastructure for global connectivity. 

• EMPHASIZE the importance of secure supply chains for the development, manufacturing, deployment, management, maintenance and repair of subsea communication cables for secure global connectivity and communication between the Nordic countries. 

• EMPHASIZE the importance of joint international efforts, within and between the EU and NATO, in order to secure increased cable laying and repair capabilities and ensure the security of our critical infrastructure in the Nordic region. 

• RECOGNIZE that the security and protection of subsea communication cables is a whole of government affair that requires civil-military as well as public-private collaboration.   

• RECOGNIZE the importance of international cooperation concerning subsea communication cables and with this ENDORSE the New York Joint Statement on the Security and Resilience of Undersea Cables in a Globally Digitalized World