ANKARA: In response to the increasing mine threat in the Black Sea region, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania are set to formalize their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Mine Countermeasures Naval Group. The initiative aims to bolster maritime security and ensure the safety of shipping lanes in the Black Sea, especially in the wake of increased concerns.
Bulgarian Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov is scheduled to visit Turkey, where he will ink the historic document in Istanbul. The decision to approve the Memorandum on the Bulgarian side was made during a government meeting on December 13, 2023.
The push for the creation of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Naval Group originated from Turkey in August 2023. The group’s primary mission will be to focus on mine countermeasures and address the mine threat that emerged as a consequence of the Russian-Ukraine war.
The collaborative effort is not intended to replace NATO’s existing presence or ongoing deterrence and defense activities in the Black Sea area. Instead, the naval group is anticipated to enhance interaction and foster good-neighbourly relations among the participating nations.
