Defence Ministers of Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye condemn drone attacks in Black Sea, call for immediate cessation
Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye strongly condemn the drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and call for an immediate cessation of attacks that threaten commercial ships, maritime infrastructure and the safety of maritime activities, a statement by Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry said on October 28, following a meeting of the three countries’ defence ministers.
As the meeting in Sofia, between Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, his Romanian counterpart Ștefan-Radu Oprea and his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler was proceeding, container vessel Contship Jet came under drone attack off the Bulgarian coast.
The three ministers met to discuss the security challenges in the Black Sea and agreed on steps to strengthen information exchange, increase situational awareness and improve early warning capabilities, Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry said.
“Our common position is that the challenges facing regional security require coordinated actions, timely exchange of information and effective cooperation,” Stoyanov said after the meeting.
Stoyanov said that the three Black Sea countries would continue active cooperation both in a trilateral format and within Nato, in close coordination with the member states and partners of the Alliance.
“Our understanding is that security in the Black Sea is a common responsibility that requires common actions. We will work together at the political and military level to de-escalate tensions, strengthen regional stability and ensure freedom of navigation,” he said.
Stoyanov said that the trilateral meeting is a clear sign of the shared responsibility of Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye for security in the Black Sea and the readiness to act together in the conditions of a complicated regional situation.
“We will continue our trilateral consultations with a view to implementing concrete measures aimed at preventing escalation, preserving human lives and ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea,” Romania’s Minister of National Defence Oprea said.
He said that attacks on merchant ships require a coordinated response in the air and at sea.
Turkish Minister of National Defence Güler said: “We view the intensified attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea with concern and call on the parties to exercise prudence within the scope of the principle of freedom of navigation in the high seas”.
“We do not lack capabilities in terms of measures that can be taken — the Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Bulgarian and Romanian Armed Forces, have the necessary capabilities to take measures,” he said, adding that maintaining stability and security in the region is of vital importance to Türkiye.
The three defence ministers agreed to continue the dialogue on security issues in the Black Sea region with meetings at the political level in Bucharest, Romania, and at the military expert level in Ankara, Türkiye.
(Photo: Turkish Ministry of National Defence)
