European Parliament Urges EU Naval Operation in the Black Sea

The European Parliament has asked the EU to consider deploying a naval operation in the Black Sea because of Russian attacks on civilian merchant ships, the Parliament's press service said, as reported by European Pravda.

Members of the European Parliament also called on NATO to consider an initiative for the Black Sea, including the possibility of creating a so-called "Black Sea Sentry." In the resolution, MEPs urged EU countries, in cooperation with NATO, to support Bulgaria and Romania in the early detection and tracking of hostile drones.

What the resolution asks for

The deputies also ask the EU to quickly launch the initiative to create a maritime security hub in the Black Sea and to direct unspent EU funds under the SAFE instrument to help Romania and Bulgaria address these challenges. In addition, the Parliament asks that funds for Black Sea security be included in the EU's next budget.

The resolution was approved by 432 votes in favour, with 52 deputies against and 88 abstentions.

MEPs also voiced concern over the Bulgarian government's ambiguous position on the Russian threat and called on Bulgaria to stop delaying its participation in NATO's initiative to counter hostile drones.

Background

Romania earlier said it plans to speed up the development of its surveillance forces and assets to counter mines and drones in the Black Sea. On the evening of October 17, Romanian F-16 fighters shot down two drones over Romania's territorial waters in the Black Sea. The country's Defense Ministry said they were jet-powered Geran-type drones.

The vote came on the same day the commercial ship Khoryv sank off Romania, apparently after being hit by a drone. More in our Politics section.