On Monday 23 February, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas called for a strengthening of the EU’s tools for combating Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).
“Winning a fight requires a shield and a sword. We are already building the democracy shield, now we must also sharpen our proverbial sword. That means moving from rapid alerts and assessments towards pushing back harder against adversaries online”, she stressed at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council. She added that the foreign ministers had reaffirmed “the need for clearer communication of our values and what Europe stands for: reinforcing sanctions on FIMI networks and strengthening cooperation with law enforcement”.
According to a European source, this could also involve having someone responsible for the subject in each EU delegation around the world in order to better coordinate European messages.
On her arrival, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana-Silvia Țoiu, said that, in addition to the shield, Europeans needed “European immunity from this kind of interference. And that means free media, resources for independent journalists and investment in our resilience, education and societal resilience”. She pointed out that her country, which had experienced such interference, could share its experience and also work with other countries to create better instruments to prevent and combat this type of interference in European democracies. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)