A delegation from the European Parliament's defence committee will visit Sofia and Varna in the next two weeks, following attacks on merchant ships off the Bulgarian coast. MEPs Andrey Novakov and Emil Radev of the EPP Group, who invited the delegation, announced the visit. See our original report: Opposition calls for urgent security council meeting after report of ships hit in Black Sea.
Novakov and Radev recorded a joint video message with colleagues from the defence committee. In it, they condemned the attacks, expressed solidarity with Bulgaria and asked for concrete security measures in the Black Sea.
The two MEPs propose a European naval mission modelled on Aspides, with a clear defensive mandate. It would escort and protect merchant ships and their crews.
Novakov said the attacks no longer affect Bulgaria alone and the EU must respond together. He called the visit a concrete step in that direction.
Radev warned of a risk to the Bulgarian economy and to tourism. He said Bulgaria needs help from its European partners and NATO allies to protect commercial shipping better.
In Sofia and Varna, the delegation will tour critical infrastructure sites linked to people's safety.