Norwegian Prime Minister and German Chancellor propose a NATO surveillance centre for subsea infrastructure

Subsea infrastructure is vital for the overall European economy and for our security. Further action is needed to protect this infrastructure. Norway feels a special responsibility for security of natural gas supply in Europe. It is vital to maintain gas supplies. Norway, together with its allies, has taken a number of steps to protect gas infrastructure. However, countries and industries need to share more information, and civilian and military actors should work more closely together.

‘Chancellor Scholz and I have taken an informal initiative today to improve the protection of subsea infrastructure. We are suggesting that NATO should establish a dedicated surveillance centre for this purpose,’ said Mr Støre.

Mr Støre and Mr Scholz agree that a surveillance centre of this kind should be organised in collaboration with the private sector, so that plans and security systems can be coordinated to prevent future sabotage.

Mr Støre and Mr Scholz will meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg later this evening. The proposal for a new NATO surveillance centre will be discussed at this meeting.