Romania calls for creation of NATO military command to protect Black Sea

The Romanian Ministry of Defense, after consultations with its Bulgarian colleagues, proposed the creation of a joint NATO military command that would be able to respond promptly to threats in the Black Sea and ensure appropriate coordination of military actions to strengthen security in the region.

 

The new structure is to unite the efforts of three NATO countries with access to the Black Sea - Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. Initially, it can operate in Turkey, and from 2028 Romania is ready to deploy it on its territory and take over leadership.

 

Romania proposes introducing a rotation of command, with NATO littoral countries taking turns in deploying and leading the mission. This would improve interoperability between allies and allow for a joint response to security challenges.

 

The need for a new structure is driven by the increasing number of incidents in the Black Sea, including drone attacks, sea mines and shipwrecks. In addition, Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure pose risks to neighboring countries and require increased coordination within NATO.

 

Increasing NATO's military presence in the Black Sea and improving coordination between allies could positively impact shipping safety, including the transportation of agricultural products, as well as reduce risks to vessels and port infrastructure, which would help stabilize maritime logistics and global supplies.

 

However, the creation of a joint command is still only a proposal that must be agreed upon with other NATO countries.