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Photo: Czech Embassy in Helsinki
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​Czech MPs and Government Commissioner discussed hybrid threats in Helsinki

The Czech Standing Commission on Hybrid Threats visited the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats together with the Government Commissioner for Media and Counter-Disinformation and discussed future cooperation and current trends in combating hybrid threats. During their visit to Helsinki, they also met with the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy and Ambassador for Hybrid Affairs.

Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Hybrid Threats, the Government Commissioner for Media and Counter-Disinformation and a representative of the Ministry of Defence visited the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki on 30 January 2023. In addition to discussing opportunities for future cooperation and exchanging lessons learned, they discussed the outputs of the Centre's work, current trends in hybrid threats, hybrid engagement of Russia and China, and cognitive warfare. Emphasis was put on the importance of prevention and deterrence, comprehensive responses to hybrid attacks and strengthening European strategic autonomy.

Effective countering of disinformation requires a more consistent use of existing legal and other tools. A range of non-traditional actors and different ways of strategic communication need to be engaged, attacks need to be clearly attributed, culprits need to be identified and crimes need to be rigorously investigated and punished. There is also significant scope for strengthening coordination and synchronization of activities at the level of the European Union.

The delegation also held talks with Kai Sauer, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy, and Liisa Talonpoika, MFA’s Ambassador for Hybrid Affairs. Topics of discussion included Finland's accession to NATO, the exchange of experiences with hybrid influence on elections and the unique Finnish concept of National defence courses.