N1's Foreign Editor Ivana Dragicevic spoke with Rasmus Hindren, the head of International Relations at the European Centre for Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.

The EU and NATO are boosting cooperation due to hybrid threats in the east of Europe. This news came from Lithuania after a visit by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President, Ursula von Der Leyen. At the same time, the paneuropean negotiations on the creation of the so-called EU Strategic Compass are ongoing.

Several days ago, EU Commissioner for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borell, wrote in an open letter that the EU is exposed to the risk of “strategic shrinkage”, thanks to geopolitical, economic, and ideological pressures. In order to protect the people of Europe, as well as their interests and values, we will need to think in a new way not only about the EU’s security and defensive responsibilities, but also capacities, Borell wrote.

The Strategic Compass, drafted by Borell’s office, will serve precisely as an operational guide for EU’s development and decision-making related to security and defence. Hybrid challenges represent a key element.

In June this year, Croatia became the 29th member of the European Centre for Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. Only EU and NATO members can join the Centre. Based in Helsinki, it was founded in 2017 and is supported by EU and NATO. EC documents state that the Centre was founded to encourage strategic dialogue, and research and analyse hybrid threats.

Watch the full interview with Rasmus Hindren below: