Jim O'Callaghan

Ireland currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and Mr O’Callaghan is attending the Summit in his capacity as chair of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council.

The Summit, which is being hosted by German federal minister of the interior, Alexander Dobrindt, will be attended by ministers and senior officials from across the Baltic Sea Region, as well as senior law enforcement and security officials.

Attendees will discuss the evolving security environment in Europe, with a particular focus on hybrid threats and how member states can strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness, protect critical infrastructure and prevent, deter and respond to hybrid attacks.

Hybrid threats are commonly understood to refer to coordinated, illegitimate actions by state and state-directed actors to advance their own interests at the expense of another country without resorting to conventional military attacks. Hybrid threats affect every level of society and politics. They can combine various means (e.g. diplomatic, military, economic and technological) in coordinated campaigns.  Examples of hybrid threats include online disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks, or the use of drones by hostile actors to attack airspace, air traffic or critical infrastructure.

Speaking in advance Mr O’Callaghan said: “Europe has increasingly become the target of different forms of hybrid attacks, which are evolving in complexity and sophistication. To counter these threats, it is important to strengthen our cooperation and coordination, and work together to improve the protection of critical infrastructure. This includes joint efforts to counter cyberattacks and disinformation.

“Security is one of our core priorities during Ireland’s presidency, and I look forward to discussing strategies for strengthening our defence and protecting the wider European community. These efforts are reinforced through constructive cross-border collaboration and in-depth dialogues which are facilitated by events such as the Baltic Sea Security Summit.”

Prior to the Summit, Mr O’Callaghan is taking part in a bilateral meeting with Lithuanian minister of the interior, Mr. Martynas Katelynas.