European Centre for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany & Netherlands – ECCI
EU proposes Black Sea security hub to counter Russian fleet
euractiv ـ The EU could install a Black Sea “maritime security hub” to help counter the movement of Russia’s shadow fleet and protect undersea cables, according to a European Commission proposal released on Wednesday.
Countries on the Black Sea – EU members Romania and Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, and Ukraine – have in recent years repeatedly flagged concerns over malign Russian activity in the region.
Now, Brussels wants to help “build up maritime capacities” for “real-time monitoring from space to seabed” and provide an early warning system for threats like damage to underwater cables. The Commission has proposed doing so from a “maritime security hub” to be based in the region – likely in either Bulgaria or Romania, EU officials say.
Such a hub would also “support the negotiation and monitoring of ceasefires” in Ukraine and the wider Black Sea region, according to the proposal.
The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the hub could facilitiate information exchange with littoral states as well as NATO.
“But first, we need to have a ceasefire,” Kallas added. An early US-brokered attempt at a Black Sea ceasefire had failed due to a lack of Russian compliance.
EU officials say Turkey, which plays a significant role in regulating maritime traffic through the Bosporus, would be key to making any maritime security efforts work.
“Turkey can play a constructive role on countering Russia’s shadow fleet, and contributing to efforts to enhance maritime safety, energy security and connectivity in line with international law and relevant conventions,” the proposal said.
Ankara has, in recent months, signalled it would be willing to contribute to a future European “reassurance force” for Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire, including maritime assets.
However, EU ties with Turkey remain strained. Issues with EU members Greece and Cyprus persist, and the country’s accession efforts have been on ice for over a decade.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said the Black Sea strategy could “contribute to good neighbourly relations” with Turkey but avoided commenting directly on the enlargement process.
European Centre for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany & Netherlands – ECCI
