Prime minister Rumen Radev today called on the EU and NATO to join forces to stop attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea, the government press office said. He spoke by phone with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte. See our earlier report: Radev to summon Russian ambassador over new attack on ships near Bulgarian waters.

Von der Leyen and Rutte thanked Bulgaria for its quick response in rescuing the sailors in distress. Both expressed solidarity over the attacks on ships close to Bulgarian territorial waters. They also said the allies were ready to help establish what happened in the incidents.

Radev again asked for support to help Bulgaria improve its monitoring and control of its sea and air space.

The prime minister will start talks with Romania and Turkey so that the three countries can put forward joint proposals for safe shipping in the Black Sea. He will also raise the issue at the European Council meeting on 15 and 16 October.