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Brussels has announced plans to establish emergency stockpiles of essential minerals and cable repair kits amidst growing concerns about the EU’s susceptibility to potential attacks.
According to a draft document obtained by the Financial Times, the European Commission expressed concerns about the rising geopolitical tensions, climate change impacts, environmental degradation, and cyber threats affecting the EU.
The strategy includes coordinating backup supplies of food, medicines, and nuclear fuel, as well as accelerating the development of EU-level stockpiles for items like cable repair modules and critical minerals.
Recent incidents of sabotage to communication cables and gas pipelines have highlighted the vulnerability of the EU’s critical infrastructure.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the EU to enhance the security and resilience of the bloc, particularly in light of warnings about potential attacks from state-sponsored groups.
In addition to security threats, the EU is also facing the effects of climate change at an alarming rate, as demonstrated by recent wildfires in Crete.
A report commissioned by the EU emphasized the importance of preparedness in times of crisis and suggested setting targets for minimum levels of preparedness in various scenarios.
The EU has also advised households to stockpile essential supplies to withstand at least 72 hours of crisis.
The commission is working on establishing a stockpiling network to improve coordination among member states and enhance preparedness in the face of evolving risks.
Efforts to incentivize the private sector to assist with stockpiling and collaborate with allies on resource management and infrastructure are also underway.
Investment in critical stockpiling will be a key consideration in the EU’s upcoming budget proposals.
The draft document outlining these measures is expected to be published soon, with potential changes before its official release.