Finnish President Alexander Stubb co-hosted the Baltic Sea Nato Allies Summit alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal in Helsinki on Tuesday.
The summit brought together the leaders of the eight Nato nations with a Baltic Sea coastline. It was organised after Finland detained a ship suspected of damaging cable infrastructure at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Following the summit, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that Nato will launch a Baltic Sea monitoring mission to secure critical infrastructure, which will include the use of patrol ships, planes and drones.
At a joint press conference held alongside Rutte and Michal on Tuesday afternoon, Stubb summed up the 10 main points to come out of the summit.
1. Robust statement on critical infrastructure sabotage
The eight leaders condemned the increase in the number of suspected attacks on critical undersea infrastructure.
Stubb noted that the statement showed the summit had been a success.
2. Nato nations ready to react to future violations
All eight nations said they are committed to responding robustly to any future violations of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Stubb added that Finland's swift action in detaining the Eagle S vessel demonstrated a willingness and capability to act in such situations.
3. Nato will strengthen presence in the Baltic Sea
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance is launching a Baltic Sea monitoring mission to secure Baltic Sea infrastructure. The fleet will include patrol ships, planes and drones.
4. Better use of technology
The mission will increase the use of new technology to better monitor both shipping and undersea operations.
5. Tackling Russia's shadow fleet
Stubb said that the Nato countries in the Baltic Sea region will continue to take robust measures to deal with Russia's shadow fleet, which is suspected of deliberately damaging the undersea cables.
6. Memorandum of Understanding
The eight leaders signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding on protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
Stubb noted that Finland and Estonia already have such an agreement in place.
7. Maritime law experts to provide consultation
The eight countries will assemble a group of legal experts, tasked with finding ways to tackle Russia's tactics of hybrid influencing in the Baltic Sea in accordance with international maritime laws.
8. Finland to share report on Eagle S investigation
It was also agreed that Finland would provide a report to its Nato allies detailing the step-by-step investigation into the suspected sabotage by the Eagle S tanker. This report could be used as an "operating model" for the other nations in the event of any future violations.
9. EU and Nato to work closely
According to Stubb, the countries agreed that the EU and Nato would continue to cooperate very closely, especially on maritime matters.
10. Briefing other Nato countries
Stubb added that although the Helsinki summit was held for countries along the Baltic Sea, other Nato member states would be briefed on the talks and the agreements.
