The Netherlands welcomes European and international efforts to address malicious cyber operations

The Netherlands welcomes today’s EU decision to list two Russian individuals and one Russian organization under the EU Cyber Sanctions Regime. These actors have been involved in cyber operations with significant effect, which threatened the EU and its Member States.

Today’s listings strengthen the EU to better prevent, discourage, deter and respond to malicious cyber activities. The Netherlands strongly supported the adoption of a horizontal cyber sanctions regime to respond to malicious cyber activities. On 30 July, the EU listed a number of persons and entities for malicious cyber activities, including for the attempted cyber operation against the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in 2018.

In this context, the Netherlands also welcomes steps taken by the US and other partners in addressing destructive and disruptive worldwide cyber operations.

European cooperation and broader international solidarity remain vital in addressing malicious cyber operations and promoting a rules-based international order in cyberspace.