​​Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced a joint mine clearance operation by Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria in the Black Sea. This initiative, discussed with Turkish President Erdogan, is essential for securing naval routes and protecting significant energy investments.

“Romania and Turkey have substantial energy investments in the Black Sea. Collaborating to ensure security and protect these investments is crucial,” said Ciolacu.

Romania’s energy landscape in the Black Sea is diverse and promising. There are Black Sea Oil & Gas SA‘s Ana and Doina fields, boasting significant offshore gas reserves; Neptune Deep, a major offshore gas project; and Midia Gas Development, a project dedicated to extracting and processing natural gas. These projects are crucial for energy security in the region and Europe.  This cooperation underscores the importance of regional efforts to secure the energy future in the region.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the naval diving teams from Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey have consistently identified and neutralized drifting mines in their territorial waters. Additionally, there have been multiple incidents where civilian vessels sustained damage from anti-ship mine explosions in the Black Sea.