15/02/24 (Agence Europe) – To support Estonia in its ongoing investigation into the damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline on 8 October 2023, the European Commission decided on Thursday 15 February to grant almost €99,000 to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board as well as to the Estonian navy. This funding from the Internal Security Fund (ISF) supplements the emergency aid already granted to Finland in December 2023 (see EUROPE 13316/24). Following the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the Commission has stepped up its work on the resilience of critical infrastructures in three priority areas: preparedness, response and international cooperation. Since January 2023, new rules are in place concerning the resilience of critical entities and EU network and communication systems. The Commission has also proposed a Recommendation for a Critical Infrastructure Blueprint. (LC)