Finland’s connections to Europe could be given a boost thanks to a new fixed link across the Baltic Sea between the country and neighbours Sweden and Estonia.

A new report published by the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) recommends building either a bridge or tunnel between Sweden and Finland amid growing geopolitical tensions and the EU’s plans to connect the continent.

“While securing maritime transport in the Baltic Sea, Finland has to establish new logistical routes and secure connections to Europe,” Tiina Haapasalo, the chief policy adviser in transport and infrastructure at the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), told Euronews Next. “Beyond old times, should there be any escalation in the Baltic Sea, we need alternative routes,” Haapasalo added.