The European Commission has offered a Black Sea Naval Security Center
The European Commission has proposed the establishment of a Center for Raising Security in the Black Sea by gathering information from many countries to observe a more closely important region.
As part of a new EU strategy for a secure, prosperous and sustainable Black Sea region, this center must strengthen maritime safety and security, protect the critically important maritime infrastructure and marine environment. The initiative will also strengthen regional cooperation in debris and will deal with environmental risks.
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The move comes as European officials warn of a continuing threat from Russia and deepen concerns across the EU regarding the risks of underwater infrastructure.
The center will be created in the short term and « with a sense of priority due to Russian aggression, » an EU document said. The proposal notes that the center will also deal with the monitoring of underwater cables, offshore installations and operations with gas and wind energy. For this purpose, underwater sensors, remotely controlled vessels and drones will be used, explained Kaya Callas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Deputy Chairman of the Commission.
« Against the background that Russia violates airspace, attacks ports and seaways, launches maritime mines, the front and center of this job is to improve security in the region, » she said. According to her, there will be « improvements to the transport infrastructure to improve military mobility, so that troops and equipment can be where they are needed when needed and intend to strengthen their work to combat hybrid threats, to which the Black Sea is a primary. » The war against Ukraine will work closely with our neighbors to promote security and stability in the region.
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There are two more « pillars » in the commission’s proposal:
- Special Connection Program, In agreement with expanded trans -European networks, it will develop transport, energy and digital networks to use the potential of the Black Sea region as a vital corridor connecting Europe to Central Asia through the South Caucasus, stimulating economic growth and competitiveness.
- Willingness of coastal communities and sectors of the blue economy It will be strengthened to enable the Black Sea countries to deal with the war -related environmental damage, to respond to the risks associated with climate change, and to take advantage of the opportunities for sustainable growth.
Especially regarding the connectivity from Brussels explains that the focus will be on:
- Improve transport corridors (eg the Transcaspian transport corridor) and supplementation of the existing ones (eg corridors the Baltic Sea-Black Sea-Aegean and Rhine-Danube) to improve the connectivity between the EU, the Black Sea region and Central Asia.
- Developing green energy connections By investing in energy trade, market integration and the construction of a larger energy union to increase energy security, accessibility and use of renewable sources.
- Establishing digital connections by creating secure Internet connections with high capacity To promote safe data streams, digital skills and innovation, as well as to strengthen digital resistance.
The Center will make a contribution from the Black Sea and the EU countries and will « improve awareness of the marine situation and to share information about the Black Sea, real -time observation from space to seaside and early warning, » the document said.
Kalas told reporters that the center could also help monitor the marine element of a future peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
To this end, the EU will build a closer cooperation and partnership with Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. On this occasion, the European Commission and Kaya Kalas propose a special EU Ministerial Meeting with Partner countries.
« The Black Sea is an area of significant geostrategic importance, » the European Commission explained. « As a critical connection between Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, the region plays a key role for European and in general world security, international trade, energy, critical raw materials and food security (especially grain).
| With a population of nearly 164 million, countries around the Black Sea (except Russia) generate GDP of approximately € 2 trillion. |
It has unused potential for economic development and strategic transit routes. Strengthening our cooperation and promoting increased economic ties will contribute to the competitiveness of the region and the EU itself. «
