EU Commission cautions employees about espionage risk – Politico
According to a report by Politico, the EU Commission has issued a warning to its staff about an increasing espionage threat in Brussels. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Brussels has become a hotspot for foreign intelligence agents aiming to exploit the European Union's bureaucratic landscape, as reported by PMG on Friday, referencing an internal memo from the European Commission.
EU officials received an email this week highlighting the significant espionage threat facing the bloc, with the memo stressing that no employee, regardless of their rank, is exempt from these dangers.
“Brussels is one of the world’s biggest spy hubs, with hundreds of active intelligence officers who target our institution,” the memo states.
The document elaborated on the diverse disguises used by these spies, noting that they could pass themselves off as “diplomats, journalists, lobbyists, scientists or PhD students.”
The increasing presence of foreign spies in the Belgian capital has often been attributed to Russian agents. In 2019, warnings about the numerous Moscow-affiliated operatives in the city were circulated, and subsequent alerts indicated that the threat level has risen in conjunction with the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Notably, in March, Brussels expelled “dozens” of Russian diplomats, accusing them of espionage.
Brussels is home to several international institutions, including EU bodies and the headquarters of NATO, alongside around 100 other organizations and approximately 300 foreign diplomatic missions.
In recent years, EU and Belgian officials have consistently expressed concerns regarding a growing espionage threat in Brussels. According to estimates from Belgian security services, undercover intelligence personnel may constitute up to 20% of the staff at certain foreign diplomatic missions.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
EU officials received an email this week highlighting the significant espionage threat facing the bloc, with the memo stressing that no employee, regardless of their rank, is exempt from these dangers.
“Brussels is one of the world’s biggest spy hubs, with hundreds of active intelligence officers who target our institution,” the memo states.
The document elaborated on the diverse disguises used by these spies, noting that they could pass themselves off as “diplomats, journalists, lobbyists, scientists or PhD students.”
The increasing presence of foreign spies in the Belgian capital has often been attributed to Russian agents. In 2019, warnings about the numerous Moscow-affiliated operatives in the city were circulated, and subsequent alerts indicated that the threat level has risen in conjunction with the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Notably, in March, Brussels expelled “dozens” of Russian diplomats, accusing them of espionage.
Brussels is home to several international institutions, including EU bodies and the headquarters of NATO, alongside around 100 other organizations and approximately 300 foreign diplomatic missions.
In recent years, EU and Belgian officials have consistently expressed concerns regarding a growing espionage threat in Brussels. According to estimates from Belgian security services, undercover intelligence personnel may constitute up to 20% of the staff at certain foreign diplomatic missions.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
