Bulgaria’s Continue the Change (CC) party and Romania’s Save Romania Union (USR) have expressed concern over drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea near Bulgarian and Romanian territorial waters, and more recently within Romania’s territorial waters. In a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, they have called on the Alliance to strengthen its joint military operational centre and rotational command in Member States bordering the Black Sea, CC’s press office said.
The attacks represent a serious escalation and a growing threat to European security and NATO’s eastern flank, particularly following the alarming incidents in Romanian territorial waters in recent hours, the letter says. It was signed by Continue the Change Chair Assen Vassilev, USR Chair Dominic Fritz, Romanian MEP Dan Barna of Renew Europe/USR, and Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev of Renew Europe/Continue the Change. It was also endorsed by Valerie Hayer, Chair of the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament.
With vessels sunk, crew members reported missing and civilians put at risk, these threats to collective security require immediate and decisive action, the signatories said, adding that initial information pointed clearly to Russian involvement, Continue the Change said.
The leaders also called for an urgent assessment of additional defence measures, including enhanced maritime surveillance, counter-drone capabilities and stronger air and missile defence, to ensure that Bulgaria, Romania and their allies are prepared to respond to future threats.
The letter says Europe’s security begins at its borders and the Black Sea must be recognized as one of its top security priorities. It also welcomes plans for the European Council and the European Parliament to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rumen Radev urged joint efforts to stop attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea during telephone calls with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
On October 6, two vessels were attacked by aerial and sea drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. On October 13, two more vessels were hit by drones in the Black Sea.
Bulgarian and Romanian Liberal Party Leaders Urge NATO to Strengthen Black Sea Security 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-15 17:07:00
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