Bulgaria insists on a new Maritime Security Center
During the "From Constanta to Varna" conference, Meglena Plugchieva emphasized that the Black Sea region is key to the security of the entire European Union. Bulgaria firmly supports the three pillars of the EU strategy for the region and proposes the creation of a specialized Maritime Security Center.
"The war in Ukraine has shown that any attempt at destabilization has a direct impact on the security of the entire European Union," Plugchieva pointed out.
Main priorities for the Black Sea:
- Security: Protection of critical maritime infrastructure and environmental safety through a partnership between Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.
- Economic growth: Establishing the region as a zone for innovation, investment, and energy transformation.
- Connectivity: Modernization of ports and turning the Black Sea into a major transport and energy corridor for Europe.
Plugchieva added that despite the existence of a strategy, the document still lacks specific financial resources and implementation deadlines. Bulgaria reaffirms its ambition to be a leading stabilizing factor in the region, insisting on a more visionary European policy that would move the Black Sea region away from the periphery.