MEPs: Security in the Black Sea Cannot Be Ensured Through Declarations Alone—Urgent Measures and Funding Are Needed

The immediate establishment of a coordination centre between Bulgaria and Romania in response to drone attacks was one of the issues discussed during a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on October 20. The security of the Black Sea cannot be safeguarded through declarations alone – urgent measures and funding are needed. MEPs broadly agreed on this point. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas described the developments in the region as an unacceptable escalation by Russia.

Diplomacy versus pressure on the Kremlin to stop the attacks on ships in the Black Sea—this was the main point of contention during the debate. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, emphasised the need for both, but described the Russian strikes as an unacceptable escalation that should be addressed.

Kaja Kallas – EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: “We also need to make common decisions more quickly when serious incidents occur. This is the aim of the proposed Emergency Protocol, which provides for immediate political consultations and better coordination during major hybrid crises, including coordination with NATO.”

Bulgaria and Romania should monitor their territorial waters and detect drone attacks, according to representatives of the European People’s Party, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, and Renew Europe. To achieve this, a new coordination centre between the two countries should receive funding. The European Conservatives and Reformists said it was time for Europe to move from words to action. Romania’s success in shooting down hostile drones was also highlighted.

Pierre-Romain Thionnet – Patriots for Europe, France: “We should welcome the conduct and response of our Romanian allies and their pilots, who managed to shoot down Russian drones as part of a well-executed and legitimate defensive operation.”

There were also comments on who was responsible for the attacks.

Sergey Lagodinsky – Greens/European Free Alliance, Germany: “Unlike Bulgaria’s current Prime Minister, we know who is responsible: it is Russia, it is the Kremlin.”

Bulgarian representatives stressed the need for united action by the European Union and NATO.

Andrey Novakov – EPP/G​​ERB: “It is time to show that the problem in Varna, in Bulgaria and in Romania is a problem for all of Europe, and that the EU must send a mission to the Black Sea to protect commercial vessels.”

Nikola Minchev – Renew Europe/We Continue the Change: “More than ever, Europe must invest in its common defence, and member states must take an active part in this process.”

Photos: AP/BTA

Elena Yoncheva – ECR/MRF: “The European Commission should urgently establish a special guarantee fund to compensate affected sectors along the western Black Sea coast – a fund for the ports of Varna, Burgas and Constanța.”

Stanislav Stoyanov – Europe of Sovereign Nations/Vazrazhdane: “Europe needs diplomacy, not a wider war, because a direct confrontation with a nuclear power could lead to a nuclear winter.”

The European Parliament is due to vote on a resolution on Thursday.