The government has approved an algorithm for response to maritime submarine infrastructure.
The State Border Guard Service plays a key role in responding to the potential diversion and detaining it in cooperation with the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
Earlier, the Ministry of National Defense responded to the growing number of incidents, prepared an informal document on interpretation of international maritime law.
Actions have been taken in the light of the worsening security situation in the Baltic Sea, where underwater infrastructure – marine cables – are increasingly damaged.
“Incident increases and damage caused by them require additional steps to ensure the safety of infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including the renewal of a valid legal framework. Amendments to maritime legislation provide systemic changes, which will allow more efficient and faster response to incidents. We have foreseen measures and algorithms that will help the responsible authorities to coordinate actions more easily, which means better protection of critical infrastructure, ”says Dovilė Šakalienė, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania.
Algorithm is clearly defined by procedures such as a vessel, suspension or detention of a ship.
The algorithm also indicates how to behave and coordinate actions if the energy or communication infrastructure is violated.
“The security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea is necessary to ensure vital functions and energy stability of the state. We pay special attention to the protection of the sea border – we must be prepared to withstand the threats associated with potential provocations, hybrid attacks. The tense security situation in the region and incidents such as interrupting communication and electric cables in the Baltic Sea clearly show that additional protective measures must be taken and inter -institutional cooperation and the interaction of responsible services. We have no doubt that confirmation of this algorithm will allow us to be fully prepared to respond promptly to incidents, which is why it is also a signal to a deterrent, ”says Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovich.
The algorithm for response to violations in the Baltic Sea was prepared by the Ministry of the Interior with the Ministry of National Defense and other institutions.
Interinstitutional cooperation was coordinated by the National Crisis Management Center.
