Romania and Bulgaria Call for Moratorium on Attacks on Ships in the Black Sea

Romania and Bulgaria advocate a moratorium on attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and stronger coordination on maritime security, including with Turkey within NATO. This was stated by the foreign ministers of the two countries ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, FinFly reports.

"We advocate a ceasefire in the Black Sea. We have witnessed direct attacks on ships in our exclusive economic zone. Unfortunately, two people died," said Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu.

According to her, similar attacks have affected Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. Romania and Bulgaria believe it is necessary to increase pressure on Russia and intensify diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Black Sea.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova also called for pursuing a moratorium on attacks on commercial vessels, noting that the escalation of the war in the region is a serious concern.

"We need to work on introducing a moratorium on attacks on commercial vessels. This concerns not only us but all countries in the region," she said.

According to the Bulgarian minister, the creation of a maritime security center in the Black Sea, which Sofia is working on together with Bucharest, should help coordinate efforts. The project envisages the establishment of two operational centers — in the Romanian city of Constanța and the Bulgarian city of Varna.

According to Țoiu, Romania cooperates with Bulgaria and Turkey within NATO, expanding interaction in mine countermeasures and the protection of critical Black Sea infrastructure. Bucharest is also working with NATO and the European Commission to strengthen deterrence and defense on the alliance's eastern flank.

Țoiu emphasized that Black Sea security is of global importance, as the region plays a key role in food supplies. According to her, 55% of Ukrainian wheat flows pass through infrastructure operating with Romania's support.

"We cannot allow Russia to use bread as a weapon," she said, adding that restoring safe maritime routes will positively affect countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.