NATO says it will continue to protect allies in Black Sea region

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - NATO will continue to protect allies in the Black Sea -- Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye -- the alliance’s deputy secretary general said Thursday.

Mircea Geoana said the alliance has no aggressive intentions in the Black Sea.

“We just want to give to the Black Sea what is the right of freedom of navigation and security and stability that any other sea around the world needs to be offered,” he told Bulgaria’s BTA news agency.

“The Black Sea is a very intense geopolitical place,” he said, drawing attention to the new security challenges that emerged in the region as a result of the war in Ukraine and Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

However, he said, “ It doesn't mean that Russia will not be a player in the Black Sea. It doesn't mean that we don't know that their intentions are of disrupting the Black Sea. But we know that in the end we will prevail and make the whole of Black Sea again free for navigation, free for business, free for peace and free for stability.”

Furthermore, Geoana praised Bulgaria’s role and contribution to the NATO, and regional stability and said, “So, one message to Bulgaria is one of gratitude for its importance in the overall architecture, not only in the region of Black Sea.​​​​​​​