European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is meeting prime minister Rumen Radev in Varna today. They are discussing Black Sea security, protection of sea routes and a bigger EU presence in the region.
The Commission said as early as 9 November that von der Leyen was visiting Romania and Bulgaria because hybrid threats in the Black Sea region have grown.
Earlier on this story: Von der Leyen to visit Bulgaria and Romania over hybrid threats in the Black Sea
In Bucharest yesterday, she announced 50m euros in EU money for the Black Sea Maritime Security Centre. Bulgaria, Romania and Brussels are running the project together. It aims to improve monitoring of the sea, share information and help countries work together against threats in the Black Sea basin.
The money is part of the EU's push to make its eastern borders safer and to protect key infrastructure and transport corridors.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss risks to shipping, ways to protect merchant ships, and how countries in the region and EU institutions can coordinate.
The talks come as Russia's war against Ukraine goes on and risks to shipping in the Black Sea grow.
After the meeting, Radev and von der Leyen will outline the main points at a joint briefing at the Euxinograd residence.
Varna is one stop on the Commission president's tour of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.