Triple security move in the Black Sea: Bulgaria will call Türkiye and Romania for consultation

Bulgaria will take initiative to act jointly with Türkiye and Romania following the recent attacks targeting commercial ships in the Black Sea.

Bulgarian President Iliyana Yotova made a statement after the extraordinary meeting of the National Security Advisory Council (KSNS) held with the maritime security agenda.

Yotova said that Bulgaria will hold urgent consultations with Romania and Türkiye and propose to take joint steps to stop attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea and ensure navigation safety.

Among the recommendations announced after the meeting was the creation of a framework mechanism that will ensure free and safe maritime transportation within the scope of the European Union's Black Sea strategy.

Bulgaria will also raise the issue of increasing NATO's air and sea surveillance capacity in the region, strengthening coastal defenses and deploying additional anti-drone systems. The Sofia administration also wants the allies' contribution to Black Sea security to be increased within the scope of NATO's "Eastern Sentry" activities.

Yotova stated that it was evaluated that starting a special consultation within the scope of Article 4 of the NATO Treaty at the current stage would "not be productive" on the grounds that it would not provide a new measure.

Yotova suggested that Bulgaria launch a diplomatic initiative among the six Black Sea coastal countries, together with Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia, and seek agreement on a moratorium on stopping conflicts in the Black Sea.

The aim was announced as turning the Black Sea into a "joint security area".

Bulgaria's initiative comes after two commercial ships were hit by naval and aerial drones in the country's Black Sea exclusive economic zone on October 6.

While the Togo-flagged ALFA WATAN sank after the attack, a fire broke out on the Palau-flagged ABLE ship. The 18-person crew on ABLE was evacuated and rescued. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev called the attack a "grave violation of international law".

Bulgarian authorities announced that it has not yet been determined who the UAVs that carried out the attack belonged to. Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said that in order to point the finger at Russia or Ukraine, drone parts must be found or one of the parties must take responsibility for the attack.

There is also a military cooperation mechanism between the three countries regarding Black Sea security. The Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group was formed by Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria in 2024.