Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey in large-scale exercise "Black Sea 2026"

International Cooperation in the Black Sea

Bulgaria took an active part in the strategic exercise "Black Sea 2026", held in Constanta and the territorial waters of Romania. The mission, coordinated by Frontex, brought together elite structures from Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.

"Turkey's participation for the first time in such a format is a key step for regional security," noted the Bulgarian "Border Police".

Main scenarios of the exercise

• Seizure of a threatened vessel: Specialized teams neutralized a threat and rescued hostages.
• SAR operations: Large-scale search and rescue operations for people in distress at sea were conducted.
• Technical power: Border patrol ships, helicopters, and naval forces were engaged in the operation.

The event was attended by senior representatives, including the Director of the Bulgarian "Border Police", Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, and the Deputy Executive Director of Frontex, Lars Gerdes. This exercise highlights the commitment of the three countries to the protection of the EU's external maritime borders and the fight against cross-border crime.