Balgarianovinite.com Bulgaria must formulate a new doctrine for the development of relations in the Black Sea region, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov said in Burgas, on the Black Sea, on Friday. He opened a forum on Bulgaria’s role in the European strategy for a secure and sustainable Black Sea.
In his speech, Zafirov stressed that the role of the Black Sea region remains key for Europe against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical instability. “Our strategic location is both a responsibility and an opportunity for Bulgaria to be the initiator of policies that can really change the region,” he emphasized.
He pointed out that Bulgaria has the potential to play an active role in the coordination between countries of the Black Sea region, thanks to the traditionally good relations with a large part of the countries along the Black Sea coast. Zafirov noted energy, transport, the environment, migration and security as key areas in which more in-depth regional cooperation is needed.
He stressed that the war in Ukraine has tested the resilience of the Black Sea region and interrupted important processes of cooperation. “The Black Sea will become an even more strategic region after the end of the war. Therefore, we have no time for delay and Bulgaria must formulate its own doctrine for the development of relations in the region,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
Zafirov also emphasized the importance of cultural cooperation, defining it as an often underestimated, but key element for more lasting cooperation. He pointed out that the Black Sea region is rich in ancient cultural values, which can serve as a basis for strengthening international relations.
MEP Kristian Vigenin, head of the Bulgarian Socialists’ delegation in the European Parliament, said that the Black Sea region had long been underestimated in European policies, but the European Union now recognizes its importance and is placing renewed emphasis on its strategic role. The Black Sea today is a strategic zone for the European Union, Vigenin stressed, adding that the Union is still trying to adapt to the contemporary challenges that emerged after the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine. According to him, these geopolitical realities cannot be ignored in Europe’s policymaking.
MEP Tsvetelina Penkova (BSP/S&D Group) said that the Black Sea region should not be viewed as a periphery but as a strategic centre when it comes to energy security, transport, and critical infrastructure. She explained that the new European package for the Black Sea has two main dimensions – geopolitical and socio-economic. The first focuses on protecting critical infrastructure, maritime security, and partnership with neighbouring countries, many of which are outside the European Union. The second aims at developing clean industries, creating new jobs, and fostering regional integration. “The stability of the Black Sea is a prerequisite for the stability of energy supplies across the European Union,” Penkova noted. Any disruption to transport and energy chains or attacks on underwater infrastructure directly affects Europe’s energy security, she added. Bulgaria Must Formulate New Doctrine for Black Sea Region, Says Deputy Prime Minister Zafirov 2025 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-11-21 16:58:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law