Two years ago, six North Sea countries had already agreed during the North Sea Summit in Ostend that they would exchange information with a view to maritime safety. This has actually been happening since this week, via an information platform in Zeebrugge. But our country must also do more on a military level.
“We have expelled more than 60 Russian spies in recent years and we are cooperating much more intensively internationally. But it is clear that the efforts made in the Baltic Sea must also be made in the North Sea. The next step can only be that we increase our military presence in the North Sea,” says Paul Van Tigchelt, resigning Minister of the North Sea.
The Belgian minesweeper Lobelia will soon leave for the Baltic Sea to participate in the NATO security operation.