DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 21 February 2025
Commissioner Kadis launches European Oceans Pact with a high-level dialogue on fisheries and oceans
European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, launched today the first dialogue on fisheries and oceans, a crucial step in the development of the European Oceans Pact. The high-level roundtable brought together a wide range of policy-makers, stakeholders and experts to discuss the future of the EU’s oceans governance.
The event, which was hosted by Commissioner Kadis, brought together key personalities, including relevant ministers from both the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU and France (who will be hosting the UN Oceans Conference in June); the Chair of the European Parliament’s PECH Committee, Carmen Crespo Díaz; the Vice-President of the European Parliament’s SEARICA Intergroup, Thomas Bajada; former Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Karmenu Vella; as well as representatives of Advisory Councils, NGOs, think tanks, the industry and the scientific community.
Participants discussed the pressing issues facing the EU’s oceans governance model, including the challenges and priorities to be addressed. They discussed measures to protect biodiversity and promote ecosystem-based ocean management, as well as opportunities for sustainable growth and job creation in the EU blue economy. The dialogue also focused on supporting the resilience and sustainability of coastal communities and cities in the different EU sea basins. The discussions will serve as a basis for the development of the European Oceans Pact, a key initiative to enhance coherence between the different policy areas related to the ocean.
The dialogues on fisheries and oceans will continue with the European Oceans Days in Brussels on 5 March.
This is a significant step forward in shaping the European Oceans Pact, which should play a crucial role in ocean governance.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki: + 32 2 296 64 83; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: + 32 2 298 25 04)
Eurobarometer survey highlights new consumer trends for fishery and aquaculture products
According to the latest Eurobarometer survey on EU consumer habits with regard to fishery and aquaculture products, some 58% of Europeans consume fish at home at least once a month.
Although these products remain a commodity in European diets, the survey shows a decrease in consumption frequency since 2021, with factors such as proximity to the sea influencing consumption, among other socio-economic factors. Meanwhile, the cost of products has become the most influential factor when buying fish and seafood for European consumers. In addition, consumers more often tend to choose frozen and canned products over fresh products, probably because of their convenience and affordability. The survey also reveals that half of the respondents attach great importance to the detailed information on product labels.
For the first time, this year’s special Eurobarometer included questions on seaweed and algae consumption. The survey shows that although seaweed and algae are not yet widely accepted, two-thirds of respondents reported having consumed algae-based products at least once in the last year.
More information on this Eurobarometer can be found here.
President von der Leyen and the College travel to Kyiv to mark three years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine
President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners will be in Kyiv on Monday to express Europe's unflinching support for Ukraine's fight for independence and freedom, three years into Russia's full-scale war.
Over the past three years, the European Union has stood firmly by Ukraine's side, and dedicated every effort to ensure the country is in a position to obtain a just and lasting peace. The EU has supported Ukraine's financial stability and contributed to international efforts towards Russian accountability for its crimes. It has worked side-by-side with Ukraine on its accession process, to ensure that the country's future is within the EU. The EU is Ukraine's largest donor to date, it has trained the country's soldiers, financed the delivery of weapons and imposed hard-biting sanctions.
On Monday, President von der Leyen will meet with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They will co-chair a College-to-Government meeting to prepare Ukraine's future as a free, sovereign, and European nation. Earlier in the day, the College will honour fallen soldiers and those still fighting on the frontlines of Russia's brutal war of aggression.
Follow the visit on EBS.
More information is available on the EU's support to Ukraine in this factsheet.
(For more information : Paula Pinho — Tel.: +32 2 292 08 15; Arianna Podestà — Tel: +32 2 298 70 24)
Commission and the High Representative present strong actions to enhance security of submarine cables
Today, in Helsinki, Finland, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen presented the Joint Communication of the Commission and the HRVP to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables. Announced by President von der Leyen on 9 February in Vilnius during the Baltic Energy Independence Day, the Joint Communication introduces a range of measures to bolster the resilience of this critical infrastructure, addressing prevention, detection, response, recovery, and deterrence.
Communication cables connect several Member States to one another, link islands to the EU mainland, and connect the EU to the rest of the world, carrying 99% of inter-continental internet traffic. Subsea electricity cables facilitate the integration of Member States' electricity markets, strengthen their security of supply, and deliver offshore renewable energy to the mainland. However, in recent weeks and months, submarine cables incidents have risked causing severe disruptions in essential functions and services in the EU, impacting the daily lives of EU citizens. This initiative responds directly to these threats.
The Joint Communication is designed to support all Member States, including those in the Baltic Sea Region, which have seen a significant increase in cable incidents. Key measures include:
These strategic actions complement ongoing work by the Submarine Cable Infrastructure Expert Group, composed of Member States and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). The actions are complementary to NATO's existing activities and support national and regional endeavours, reaffirming Europe's commitment to protecting critical submarine infrastructure, which is essential to global communications and energy security.
Next Steps
The Commission and the High Representative will roll out specific actions progressively in 2025 and 2026 together with the Member States and the EU agency for Cybersecurity, ENISA. By the end of 2025, the Commission and the High Representative are expected to present, amongst other actions, the mapping of existing and planned submarine cable infrastructures, a Coordinated Risk Assessment on submarine cables, a Cable Security Toolbox of mitigating measures and a priority list of Cable Projects of European Interest.
The security of the EU's critical infrastructure will also be an important element of the upcoming Internal Security Strategy. Further work will also build on the Niinistö Report on how to enhance Europe's civilian and defence preparedness and readiness.
Background
Security and resilience of submarine cable infrastructure were addressed in a 2024 Recommendation on the security and resilience of submarine cable infrastructures, as well as in a White Paper on 'How to master Europe's digital infrastructure needs'. To deliver on the Recommendation, the Commission established an Expert Group, composed of Member State authorities and ENISA.
The EU is actively working on various fronts to promote cyber resilience and protect its citizens and businesses from cyber threats in an increasingly digital and connected Europe. An action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers was launched in January to address the unique threats facing the sector.
The Commission also continues the work on implementing the upgraded legal framework for the resilience of critical infrastructure, both physical and cyber, with, the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive, and the Network and Information Systems (NIS2) Directive. The CER Directive aims to strengthen the resilience of critical entities against a range of threats, including natural hazards, terrorist attacks, insider threats, or sabotage.
The NIS2 cybersecurity framework establishes a unified legal framework to uphold cybersecurity in 18 critical sectors across the EU and calls on Member States to define national cybersecurity strategies and collaborate with the EU for cross-border reaction and enforcement. These measures work hand in hand with Cyber Resilience Act, the first-ever EU legislation placing mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products that include digital elements, which entered into force on 10 December 2024. The Commission has also put in place a Cyber Emergency Mechanism under the Cyber Solidarity Act, reinforcing the EU's solidarity and coordinated actions to detect, prepare for and effectively respond to growing cybersecurity threats and incidents.
For More Information
Joint Communication
Factpage on the Joint Communication
Quotes:
“In response to growing geopolitical tensions, particularly in regions such as the Baltic Sea, the European Commission is taking decisive action to safeguard our critical submarine cable infrastructure. With this Action Plan, we are taking a significant step forward to strengthen their security. We want to make sure Europe is equipped not only to prevent and detect sabotage to cables but also to actively deter, repair and respond to any threat to critical infrastructure that is key to our economy and collective security.”
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
“No realm of life is free from threats or hostile behaviour today. Recent attacks against underwater cables underline this clearly. This is vital infrastructure that keeps us connected online and our energy flowing, not just between EU Member States but between Europe and many other regions across the world. Today we are taking steps to protect cables, detect and anticipate threats more quickly, and repair damage as fast as possible. Anyone found to be responsible for sabotage should be punished accordingly – including with sanctions. Would-be perpetrators must also be deterred. This is what we propose today.”
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
“The fact that we are looking at potential cases of sabotage on EU infrastructure shows the seriousness of the threats the EU is facing. The Commission and EU agencies are working closely with Member States to help them anticipate and prepare for such threats. The Action Plan to better secure submarine cables will reinforce our ability to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging hybrid threats. Countering hybrid threats and protecting our critical infrastructure will also be important elements of our upcoming Internal Security Strategy.”
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
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