Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria agreed to jointly fight the sea mines in the Black Sea as part of the “trilateral initiative” proposed by Ankara. The agreement has been concluded against the background of more than two years of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
Trilateral Initiative was agreed by the heads of Turkish defense departments Yashar Guler, Bulgaria Todor Tagarev and the Deputy Minister of Defense of Romania Simona Kozhokar on October 11, 2023 during the Summit of Defense of NATO countries in Brussels.
January 11, in Istanbul, as part of the Tripartite Initiative, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania signed the Memorandum of understanding the Black Sea target group in the anti -minute struggle (MCM Black Sea).
The document of the National Defense of Turkey Yashar Guler, the Minister of Defense of Romania, Angel Tilvar and Deputy Minister of Defense of Bulgaria Atanas Zapryanov, put their signatures under the document.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Yashar Guler said that in accordance with the signed agreement, a committee consisting of the commanders of the Navy of the three countries will be formed. The Turkish Minister said that the structure will make unanimous decisions regarding the activities of the target group.
“I believe that the cooperation that will be carried out as part of the Memorandum of the understanding that we signed today will make a significant contribution to the safety of shipping in the Black Sea,” Guller said.
The head of the Ministry of Defense of Turkey expressed firm confidence that the initiative will contribute to the expansion of close cooperation between the three countries, primarily in the Black Sea, including in terms of the exchange of experience.
The Russian-Ukrainian conflict threatens the security of not only two countries, but also other states of the Black Sea region.
The Black Sea B is a route for the supply of energy and international trade. As a result, the destabilization of the situation in the Black Sea region may lead to negative consequences for the entire world economy. The escalation in the Black Sea also poses a threat to global food security.
Türkiye controls the Stambul (Bosphorus) and Chanakkale (Dardanella) Stams in the framework of the Montreo Convention. Based on this, Ankara attaches great importance to ensuring security in the Black Sea. In this context, Türkiye plays a key role in the destruction of Russian and Ukrainian drifting mines in the Black Sea.