The small Danish island of Bornholm was once the scene of global political tensions. While the whole of Denmark was liberated from German occupation in May 1945, a geopolitical power game began in the middle of the Baltic Sea. The German occupying garrison wanted to surrender to the Western Allies, but the Red Army demanded its unconditional surrender, bombed the island’s capital Rønne and ultimately occupied Bornholm for almost a year. It was a demonstration of power – and the first tangible harbinger of the Cold War. Today, almost exactly 80 years later, Bornholm is once again at the centre of European security policy. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her colleagues from France, Poland and the Nordic and Baltic countries will hold two days of close consultations on 28 and 29 April. After all, Europe’s democracies are standing together – especially now.

Espionage and sabotage: Working together to protect our infrastructure

The countries bordering the North Sea and the Baltic Sea have grown closer together in recent years. Data cables, supply lines and transport routes connect millions of people every day and safeguard the supply of electricity, internet connections and telecommunications. The Baltic Sea region in particular has witnessed a number of suspected hybrid incidents in recent months, however. In November last year, for example, an undersea cable between Finland and Germany that ensures the internet connection between the two countries was damaged. Not long thereafter, the undersea cable between Lithuania and Sweden was cut and a power cable between Estonia and Finland was damaged.

These incidents demonstrate the vulnerability of our critical infrastructure and the need for a joint European response, which Foreign Minister Baerbock and her counterparts will flesh out in Bornholm. We will further enhance security in the Baltic Sea region through increased NATO patrols, closer exchange of information and joint exercises.

From the Baltic to Bornholm – strengthening peace in Europe

The talks in Bornholm also show that Europe is growing ever closer together and taking joint responsibility for its security – in the Baltic Sea, Eastern Europe and the Baltic region. Together, the Foreign Ministers in Bornholm are sending a strong signal of solidarity with Ukraine and continuing to support the country with all their might. Only if the Russian President stops bombing Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv will peace negotiations stand a chance. However, Russia’s latest bombardments of the Ukrainian capital, which killed numerous civilians, make it crystal clear that peace negotiations can only succeed if Ukraine is in a position of strength. Germany therefore supports, among other things, an EU initiative to provide two million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine together with its EU partners, and is continuing to work with all of its allies to bring about lasting peace on our continent.