New Strategy Center participated in the Brussels Economic Security Forum, held on June 5–6, organized by the European Policy Centre.

During the forum, Sergiu Mitrescu, Program Director at the New Strategy Center, took part in the expert-level roundtable “Securing Critical Underwater Infrastructure in an Age of New Threats”, held on Friday, June 6, in Brussels. The discussions brought together government experts, diplomats, industry representatives, as well as officials from the EU and NATO, and researchers from European think tanks.

The roundtable addressed the growing challenges to critical underwater infrastructure, including hybrid risks, the need for rapid repair capabilities to ensure continuity, strengthening international cooperation, and the operationalization of common standards. Topics discussed also included the implementation of the EU Cable Security Plan, maritime information sharing, private sector involvement, and the standardization of authorization processes for underwater projects.

The event was a valuable opportunity for the audience to understand the energy stakes in the Black Sea region and the hybrid threats posed by the Russian Federation, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine.