Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has announced a joint effort with Sweden and other neighboring countries to strengthen the protection of the Baltic Sea.
At a meeting in Berlin on Friday, Scholz stated, “The protection of critical infrastructure concerns us all.” He referred to the recent damage to data cables and pipelines, saying that the consequences for the involved countries are “substantial.”
To better protect this infrastructure, the NATO operation Baltic Sentry is set to begin soon. “I’m delighted about Sweden’s participation” Scholz said, emphasizing the importance of having “close and reliable friends and partners” in times like these. The Chancellor also praised Sweden’s NATO membership and described the bilateral relations as “excellent.