Members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on May 16 passed a resolution calling on European Union member states to work together closely to prevent cyber-attacks on civilians and military targets.
According to the resolution, Russia, China and North Korea, as well as non-state actors, have carried out malicious cyber activities and attacks on critical infrastructure, cyber-espionage, mass surveillance of EU citizens, disinformation campaigns and have limited access to the internet (such as Wannacry, NonPetya).
“Cyber defence remains a core competence of the member states, but due to the borderless nature of cyberspace, it is not possible for any one state to tackle the threats and challenges alone,” said the European Parliament’s rapporteur Urmas Paet (ALDE, EE). “The EU needs to strengthen its cyber defence capabilities by boosting cooperation between member states, the EU and Nato. We also need to train more experts in cyber defence and organise joint exercises.”
Approved by 45 votes to 8, with 8 abstentions at the Committee level, the full House is slated to vote on the resolution during next month’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
