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European commission puts forward new strategies on cybersecurity, military mobility

"With its new cyber defence policy, the EU will enhance cooperation and investments in cyber defence to better protect, detect, deter, and defend against a growing number of cyber-attacks," the EC said in a statement

BRUSSELS, November 11. /TASS/. The European Commission unveiled a new cybersecurity strategy and an action plan on military mobility on Thursday, EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age Margrethe Vestager told reporters.

"Today, the Commission and the High Representative put forward a Joint Communication on an EU Cyber Defence policy and an Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0 to address the deteriorating security environment following Russia's aggression against Ukraine and to boost the EU's capacity to protect its citizens and infrastructure," Vestager said.

Cybersecurity strategy

"With its new cyber defence policy, the EU will enhance cooperation and investments in cyber defence to better protect, detect, deter, and defend against a growing number of cyber-attacks," the European Commission said in a statement.

"Cyberspace has no borders. Recent cyber-attacks on energy networks, transport infrastructure and space assets show the risks that they pose to both civilian and military actors. This calls for more action to protect citizens, armed forces, as well as the EU's civilian and military missions and operations, against cyber threats," the document says.

According to the European Commission, the EU policy on cyber defense is built around four pillars: ‘act together for a stronger EU cyber defense,’ ‘secure the EU defense ecosystem,’ ‘invest in cyber defense capabilities’ and ‘partner to address common challenges.’

"The return of a high intensity conflict obliges us to review our approach to Europe's security. It is time to enhance our cooperation on cyber defense to protect, detect, defend, and deter. With a wide array of new initiatives on cybersecurity, we want to boost relentlessly our cyber defense capabilities and strengthen cooperation between cybersecurity communities. A stronger EU security is the foundation of our EU technological sovereignty," said EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton.

From now on, the EU High Representative, including in his capacity as Head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), is to present an annual report to the Council of the EU to monitor and assess the progress of the implementation of the actions in the Joint Communication on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence.

Military mobility

In line with the action plan on military mobility, the entire road and rail transportation network of the European Union needs to be overhauled to enable swift movement of troops and equipment from one European region to another, from east to west.

Borrell said that the effort would require construction of additional bridges, tunnels, railways and motorways.

He also said EU would engage Balkan nations, Moldova and Ukraine into its military mobility projects. The plan also envisages reinforced cooperation with NATO and promotes connectivity and dialogue with key partners, such as Canada and Norway.

EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean told reporters on Thursday the European Commission had already allocated 1.69 billion euro for the purpose in 2021-2027.

"With a budget of 1.69 billion euro for 2021-2027, we are already co-funding dual-use transport infrastructure projects through our Connecting Europe Facility. Under the new Action Plan we will assess the extent to which today’s physical transport infrastructure meets military requirements, and what the current gaps are. The findings will help us to prioritize infrastructure for development, and allocate funding at EU level appropriately," she said.