JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL EU Action Plan on Cable Security

EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 21.2.2025 JOIN(2025) 9 final JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL EU Action Plan on Cable Security EN EN 1. Introduction Submarine cables, whether used for communication or energy transmission fulfil critical and strategic functions for European economies and societies. They connect several Member States to one another, islands to the EU mainland, Outermost Regions and the Overseas Countries and Territories as well as the EU to the rest of the world. Submarine communication cables carry 99% of inter-continental internet traffic. Submarine electricity cables, notably interconnectors, allow for the integration of Member States' electricity markets, strengthen their security of supply, and bring offshore renewable energy to shore. Acting on their resilience and security is necessary to protect vital strategic interests of the EU. While submarine cables may get damaged unintentionally, the pattern observed in recent months particularly in the Baltic Sea, suggests that this critical infrastructure is increasingly the target of deliberate hostile acts. By damaging their integrity, essential functions and services are disrupted in the EU, affecting the daily lives of citizens. Such acts of sabotage – that can be elements of larger hybrid campaigns – represent a significant risk to the security of the EU and all its Member...