Intentional damaging of infrastructure in the Baltic Sea is an extremely serious incident. In order to investigate it and agree on future steps, we need close cooperation between the European Union and NATO, wrote Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš on Twitter.
Previously the Ministry of the Interior noted that in response to reports about the possible sabotage against Nord Stream infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, Latvian authorities tightened security in the country’s energy transmission infrastructure sector.
Latvian authorities are currently busy compiling information regarding the damages to the pipeline and possible consequences.
At the moment, however, Latvian authorities have no information to warrant increasing terrorism levels, said Minister of the Interior Kristaps Eklons.
Latvian Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks made a more direct announcement on Twitter, saying that the detonation of the gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea was a diversion and that it happened within NATO territory. Now is the tie for close cooperation between EU and NATO allies in the incident’s investigation and defence of critical infrastructure.
The Nord Stream sabotage is considered as the most serious security and environmental incident in the Baltic Sea, said Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs.
The head of Office of the President of Ukraine wrote on Twitter in the evening on Tuesday that the Nord Stream incident was a terror act planned by Russia. According to him, it was Moscow’s attempt to sow panic in the Europe before winter.
Danish authorities recorded three leaks in Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
Two leaks in Nord Stream pipeline were found to the north-east of Bornholm Island, and another leak was found on Nord Stream 2 pipeline to the south-east of this island.
The leaks in Nord Stream were found in Danish and Swedish territorial waters, whereas the leak in Nord Stream 2 was found in Danish territorial waters exclusively.
Neither of the two pipelines are in use at the moment. This is why these incidents will not affect gas supplies to Europe, officials say.
Swedish and Danish seismology observers registered two powerful underwater explosions before the leaks from Nord Stream gas pipelines were discovered.
More on this topic: Reports coming in about major gas leaks from both Nord Stream pipelines in Baltic Sea