Six European countries bordering the North Sea signed an agreement Tuesday to bolster cooperation on protecting critical underwater infrastructure, including energy pipelines and communication cables due to concerns about potential sabotage by Russia.

As Reuters reported, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands committed to information sharing and coordinated efforts through the joint declaration. 

The move comes after the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, raising anxieties about European energy security.

In May 2023, NATO warned that Russia might target undersea infrastructure in retaliation for Western support of Ukraine. The ongoing conflict and the recent Gaza war have further heightened global security threats.

"The North Sea is vital to Europe's clean energy goals and overall energy security," said Andrew Bowie, Britain's minister for nuclear and renewables. 

"Protecting this critical infrastructure is paramount, both now and in the future."

Bowie emphasized that the agreement strengthens ties with key European partners, aiming to ensure the resilience of underwater infrastructure against potential threats.