European Parliament calls on EU to launch naval operation in Black Sea
The European Parliament is asking the EU to consider launching a naval operation in the Black Sea due to Russian attacks on merchant ships.
Source: European Pravda, citing the press service for the European Parliament
Details: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have also called on NATO to consider a Black Sea initiative, specifically regarding the possibility of establishing what they call a "Black Sea Sentry".
In a resolution adopted on 22 October, the MEPs called on EU countries, in cooperation with NATO, to support Bulgaria and Romania in the early detection and tracking of hostile drones.
They also asked the EU to quickly implement the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub initiative and bring it into operation, and to direct unspent EU funds under the SAFE instrument to assist Romania and Bulgaria in addressing these challenges.
Furthermore, the European Parliament requested that funds for Black Sea security be allocated in the next EU budget.
The resolution was adopted with 432 votes in favour, 52 against and 88 abstentions.
The MEPs also expressed concern over the Bulgarian government's ambiguous position regarding the Russian threat. They urged Bulgaria to stop delaying its participation in the NATO initiative to counter hostile drones.
Background:
- Earlier, Romania reported that the country plans to accelerate the development of its surveillance forces and capabilities to counter mines and drones in the Black Sea.
- On the evening of 17 October, Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two drones over Romania's territorial waters in the Black Sea. The country's Ministry of National Defence reported that these were jet-powered Geran-type drones.
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