CYIL vol. 10 (2019)

CYIL 10 ȍ2019Ȏ HYBRID THREATS TO ENERGY SECURITY: PERSPECTIVES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW Introduction The importance of the security of energy sector and its resilience to hybrid threats posed by opposing powers (states, state like entities) can be underscored by the fact that “in the 21st century, one of the key drivers of most economies in countries throughout the world is energy.” 1 States, regional and universal international organizations seek to ensure the security and competitiveness through the effective energy and energy security policies. Energy security mainly focuses on the efforts to provide affordable and reliable sources of fuels, both for generation of electricity and transport. 2 Thus, this article describes the concept of threats to state security in general, further it dwells on the threats that arise to energy sector, paying special attention to hybrid threats caused by other states and lastly it explores the response by international community to such threats. 1.1 Contemporary threats to state security The content of the concept of security is dynamic – it may change depending on objective circumstances leading to the emergence of new threats to the individual and the state. Recently, enormous threats to the states are caused by environmental problems, which require states to find solutions to these problems together. The security situation in many countries has made it clear that “threat” to the state can become not only external factors, but also internal processes. The threats may be distinguished into two conditional groups. “External” threats are threats not depending from the will of a person (natural calamities etc.) or do not depend from the will of a particular state or community (nuclear conflict between two or more states, military intervention by foreign forces, etc.) “Internal” threats – economic and criminogenic situation in the state, social security, the situation of ethnic minorities etc. 3 B. Buzan identifies key sectors, affecting national security: military, political, economic, social and environmental. If there is a security risk in these sectors, then a state, society, and its members are affected to some extent. It can be noted that the content of the notion of national security depends to the large extent on the state’s ability to retain its independence, identity and functional integrity. 4 According to B. Buzan, military security implies the capability of a nation to defend itself, and/or deter military aggression. Alternatively, military security implies the capability of a nation to enforce its policy choices by use of military force. For the states, military threats are one of the most threatening and related to the territorial integrity of the states and the preservation of independence. Military defence is basically understood as the use of force through armed forces and economic resources. This also affects other security sectors. There are direct (complete invasion of another state, attacks to peaceful citizens, etc.) and indirect 1 BILAN, Yurij, STRIELKOWSKI, Wadim, KARBACH, Rolf, MENTEL, Grzegorz. Secure Development of Country and Competitiveness Issues: Case of Germany’s Energy Security. Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues 2017, 6(3), p. 329. 2 Ibid, p. 330. 3 MATULIONYTĖ, Erika. Grėsmių nacionaliniam saugumui nustatymas ir jų prevencijos galimybės (System of National Security, Threats and Prevention Possibilities). Jurisprudencija 2008 4(106), p. 94. 4 BUZAN Barry, Žmonės, valstybės ir baimė. (People, states and fear). (Vilnius: Eugrimas, 1997), p. 161. 1. Hybrid threats to energy security

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