Recommendation 88

On 18 May 2023, the UK and Norway agreed to develop a strategic partnership “to counter shared threats in the undersea domain” including threats to undersea infrastructure. Norway has already stepped up surveillance in the North Sea in response to undersea threats. 104 We heard that the UK has co-operated with Norway on the inspection of all its undersea infrastructure following the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline. 105 In January 2023, NATO and the EU established a joint taskforce on resilience and critical infrastructure protection. 106 In February this year, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced the creation of a Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell at NATO Headquarters. The centre “will facilitate engagement with industry and bring key military and civilian stakeholders together”. 107