Good morning from Brussels, Following the European Commission's request, Finland's former president Sauli Niinistö presented on Wednesday a security plan to prepare the EU for crises such as war, natural disasters, and pandemics. The plan provides multi-level measures to be taken by member states, ranging from households being ready for self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours to increasing defence funding and deterring hybrid warfare, such as cyberattacks or sabotaging critical infrastructure like energy. Another key element touches upon the hardcore of national sovereignty: enhancing intelligence sharing and gathering among member states. But for this, “we have to build trust”, Niinistö said. To some extent, EU member states' intelligence services already collaborate but only with those they trust. This was obvious after Russia invaded Ukraine: For example, several member state officials told Euractiv they were uncomfortable speaking out loud with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán in the room. Building trust without simultaneously building the relevant institutional framework will still need to be answered. | 