The EU and the Black Sea
Bucharest has hosted another round of talks about security and defence at the Black Sea
Daniela Budu, 04.06.2024, 13:50
“The EU’s strategic approach for the Black Sea region must also include support for the states in the region facing hybrid threats and the consequences of the aggression war Russia is presently waging on Ukraine”. The statement was made by Romania’s Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr, who on Monday met the interim chief of the European Commission Representation in Romania, Mara Roman.
According to a communiqué of the field ministry, the European developments in the area of defence and the prospects of Bucharest in this context were high on the talks agenda of the two officials. Angel Tîlvăr and Mara Roman also tackled the EU’s role in supporting Romania’s two neighbours, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.
On this occasion, the Defence Minister highlighted the support Bucharest offered the two countries both in terms of their European integration efforts and in boosting resilience. The two also referred to the main initiatives and European instruments with relevance in the field of defence, such as the European Defence Fund, military mobility, the EU’s Defence Industry Strategy, namely the need for strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. “It is important that the European defence industry develop in a geographically-balanced manner, and the small and medium-size enterprises as well as the start-ups in the entire Europe be integrated in the industrial ecosystem” – Angel Tâlvăr said. According to him, the “EU-NATO cooperation on this issue for using the potential of the instruments the two institutions have at their disposal is essential.”
According to the communiqué, the meeting between the two officials highlighted the ever increasing role played by the European Commission in supporting member states in terms of security and defence with emphasis on the need for carrying on the development of the synergic EU-NATO relations.
In fact, at a specialized forum held last month in Bucharest, the head of the Romanian diplomacy, Luminita Odobescu said the Black Sea is essential from the viewpoint of security and connectivity for Europe and it is needed to be an open and free sea. “When we are thinking about the Black Sea, we are speaking about two key words, – security and connectivity” – Minister Odobescu went on to say.
The official also pointed out that Romania contributes to the Black Sea security through national, bilateral actions, but also through projects and formats of regional cooperation as well as actions at the level of the EU and NATO. According to her, “reestablishing peace and security at the Black Sea is essential for the security of us all. The same idea has been repeatedly conveyed by the European officials, underlying the joint commitment to maintaining stability and security in this area of top strategic importance.
(bill)
