Letter

Saatja: "Malin Amnefelt" <[email protected]> Saaja: "info - MKM" <[email protected]> Teema: VB: Request for Letter of Support - Polar Connect 3, CEF Digital Kuupäev: 2026-06-15 13:57 Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Hi, I am trying to reach Raigo Iling or the person responsible for The Connecting Europe Facility: Digital with this message. But my email is not reaching the recipient. Please help me find the right person to contact. Best regards Malin Amnefelt Swedish Ministry of Finance Division for Digital Infrastructure and Security 103 33 Stockholm Mobile +46 703056316 <http://www.regeringen.se/> www.regeringen.se Från: Malin Amnefelt Skickat: den 15 juni 2026 15:45 Till: '[email protected]' <[email protected]> Kopia: 'CEF2' <[email protected]> Ämne: Request for Letter of Support - Polar Connect 3, CEF Digital Dear Raigo, I am writing to you with a request concerning a letter of support for the Polar Connect step 3 (PC3) project that aims to apply for funding from CEF Digital. I have taken over the task of CEF digital from Agata Uhlhorn with whom you have previously had contact. The long term aim of the Polar Connect project is to establish a fibre optic communication link from northern Europe to the Indo-Pacific region across the Arctic region, with possible connections to North America. Polar Connect aims to establish an alternative route to currently existing routes passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea giving at the same time Europe and partners in East Asia full end-to-end control of the connection. The Swedish Research Council leads a consortium preparing a funding application to CEF Digital for the PC3 project. Polar Connect Step 3 is the next stage in the continuous progression of the Polar Connect Initiative. For further information please see the project description. The project does not require a formal Member State Agreement from Estonia as it does not cross Estonian territory and does not include Estonian participation. However, due to the multinational nature of this initiative, endorsements from other EU Member States are valuable. An Estonian endorsement would strengthen this project through which redundancy and route diversity of critical infrastructure can be enhanced, bringing also a multitude of opportunities and benefits for increased collaborations between Europe, Asia and North America. In light of this, Sweden kindly requests the support from Estonia for Polar Connect step 3 (PC3) in the form of a written endorsement, specifically a letter of support. (Please see attached the Letter of Support that the Polar Connect project received from Estonia last year.) The deadline of the CEF Digital call is approaching (30 June). We are fully aware of the short time frame and apologize beforehand for any inconvenience. If at all possible we would greatly appreciate it if you could send the Letter of Support before the EU deadline to <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] and <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] . Should you need more time please let me know. Do not hesitate to get in touch in case of any questions. Thank you in advance for considering our request, and we look forward to the possibility of working together to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure in the international waters. Best regards / Malin Amnefelt Swedish Ministry of Finance Division for Digital Infrastructure and Security 103 33 Stockholm Mobile +46 703056316 <http://www.regeringen.se/> www.regeringen.se 861072 -5550 Request for Member State Support for the Polar Connect Initiative 861072 -5550 Stockholm, 12 June 2026 Dear Colleagues, As we prepare the proposal for Polar Connect Step 3, through the application for Connecting Europe Facility Call 5, we respectfully invite your continued support for this strategically important European initiative. Building on the strong cooperation during Polar Connect Step 2, we are now entering a phase where coordinated European action is essential to strengthen the resilience, sovereignty, and security of our shared digital infrastructure. Polar Connect Step 3 is the ne xt stage in the continuous progression of the Polar Connect Initiative. It will advance efforts to realise the Polar Connect cable across the Central Arctic Ocean, focus on improving cross-border connectivity in Northern Europe, and provide greater network redundancy for the Nordic, Baltic and Central European regions. It will directly advances Europe’s strategic interests by improving secure connectivity , enhancing redundancy for Northern Europe, and ensuring that the Nordic region can serve as a stable, sovereign gateway linking Europe with North America and East Asia . The project is a key element of the EU’s Cable Project of European Interest (CPEI, Priority Area 2a), The Northern Route, and supports the long-term digital resilience of the EU and its neighbouring countries. The consortium brings together trusted European partners: Coordinator: Swedish Research Council (SE) Public partners: NORDUnet (DK), Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SE), CSC (FI) Private partners: GlobalConnect The Polar Connect Initiative also collaborates with other national and international organisations such as GÉANT Association (NL), Sikt (NO), National Institute of Informatics (JP), the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), and the Hokkaido Government. The project builds on a proven governance model. The Swedish Research Council has successfully coordinated the North Pole Fiber, Polar Connect Step 1, and Polar Connect Step 2 projects, all of which received exceptionally high evaluations from the European Commission. The same robust management and quality control structures will be applied in Polar Connect Step 3. We kindly request your continued support for Polar Connect Step 3, ensuring that Europe and its northern neighbours can jointly secure a resilient, futureproof digital corridor that strengthens our collective sovereignty and connectivity. As the Connecting Europe Facility Call 5’s deadline is scheduled on June 30, receiving your written support ahead of that deadline would be greatly appreciated. We remain at your disposal for further information and would welcome continued dialogue as the proposal develops. Best regards, The Polar Connect Initiative