- EU plans to lay a 1,100km internet cable under the Black Sea to improve connectivity to Georgia and reduce dependence on Russian infrastructure.
- Project aims to reduce region's dependency on terrestrial fibre-optic connectivity transiting via Russia.
- Concerns around espionage and intentional sabotage of undersea cables and other maritime infrastructure have grown.
- Black Sea cable project is part of the European Commission’s Global Gateway initiative, which aims to offer developing countries an alternative to Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative and Digital Silk Road initiative.
- Project is currently in the feasibility assessment stage and bidding is not currently open.
EU plans Black Sea internet cable to reduce reliance on Russia
Move to improve connectivity to Georgia amid global concerns over spying and sabotage
Anna Gross
