Black Sea strategic importance and environmental protection highlighted

On International Black Sea Day, officials and environmental groups emphasized the region's dual role in security and ecology. Romanian Vice-Premier Marian Neacșu noted that the Black Sea is vital for Romania, the EU, and NATO, serving as a critical resource for economic development and a strategic frontier for combating trafficking.

Neacșu warned that Russia's war in Ukraine poses immediate risks to maritime navigation, critical infrastructure, and the marine environment. He highlighted recent rescue operations conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to assist sailors in distress.

Simultaneously, the 30th anniversary of the Strategic Action Plan for the Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea was observed. This plan, signed by Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey, aims to combat pollution and preserve biodiversity. In Bulgaria, divers organized cleanup efforts near Burgas to remove metal and plastic waste, including tires and electronic devices, to raise awareness about the ecosystem's vulnerability to pollution and overfishing.