In the light of the rapidly evolving security challenges in the energy sector in the EU, and having in focus the areas in which the Ministries of Defence (MoDs) can positively contribute to enhancing the EU’s energy security, the talk needs to address and identify with promptitude the following issues: a) Which are the current existing and emerging security risks, threats and vulnerabilities for the critical offshore energy infrastructure in the EU’s four main maritime zones: the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the North Sea-Atlantic zone? What are the potential security challenges to defending the critical offshore energy infrastructure and who are the main actors involved? b) What are the main legal challenges and which is the prevailing legal regime related to sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the offshore critical energy infrastructure, as identified in the national and international law? Which are the opportunities for the MoDs to make a positive contribution to protecting the offshore critical energy infrastructure? What are the limits of engagement and authority for the defence sector, in the case of an imminent or occurring risk or threat to the facilities?

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