European Union is planning to install a Black Sea internet cable
The main purpuse is to reduce the risk associated with reliance on insecure infrastructure.
In a policy statement, the European Commission stated that with an estimated cost of 45 million Euros, a 1,100 km cable will be installed via international Black Sea waters to connect European Union (EU) member states to the Caucasus. The need for the cable was identified jointly by the EU and Georgia in 2021 to enhance Georgia’s digital connectivity. Recent events such as the war in Ukraine and concerns over infrastructure vulnerabilities have provided further impetus for the project.
Moreover, land-based and undersea internet cables have become a topic of scrutiny due to fears of espionage and intentional sabotage. For that, the EU’s initiative seeks to ensure secure and stable connections, while reducing the risk associated with reliance on insecure infrastructure.