Deliberate damage to infrastructure in Baltic Sea is an extremely serious incident - Karins

RIGA - The deliberate damage to infrastructure in the Balti Sea is an extremely serious incident, and close cooperation between the European Union (EU) and NATO is essential to investigate this and agree on the next steps, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) wrote on his Twitter account today.

As reported, in response to the information about the possible sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, the responsible authorities of Latvia have strengthened security measures in the energy infrastructure sector, the LETA learned from the Ministry of the Interior.

Currently, more detailed information about the gas pipeline damage and its consequences is being obtained from foreign authorities. At the moment, the responsible services do not have information that would be the basis for declaring an increased level of terrorist threats, stated Minister of Interior Kristaps Eklons (For Development).

Meanwhile, Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (For Development) wrote on this Twitter account that the blowing up of gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea is sabotage and it has happened in the immediate vicinity of NATO territory. This is a moment when close cooperation between the EU and NATO allies is needed in the investigation of the incident and the protection of critical infrastructure.

LETA also reported, the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline is classified as the most serious security and environmental incident in the Baltic Sea in recent years, according to Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity).

On his Twitter account, the Latvian foreign minister expresses solidarity on behalf of Latvia to Denmark, in whose territorial waters one of these incidents took place, and states that Latvia is ready to provide support in its investigation.

"It looks like we are entering a new phase of hybrid war," says the Latvian foreign minister about the incident.