Black Sea security: MEP calls for EU naval mission to protect shipping

European Parliament MEP Andrey Novakov has called for the establishment of an EU naval mission in the Black Sea to protect commercial shipping. He proposed a model similar to the ‘Aspides’ operation in the Red Sea, where naval vessels escort merchant ships through safe maritime corridors to prevent attacks.

Novakov warned that increasing threats to maritime transport could lead insurance companies to stop covering vessels or significantly raise premiums. Such a development would likely increase the costs of essential goods, including wheat, corn, and oil, and could eventually halt shipping altogether.

In addition to the naval mission, Novakov requested an EU Parliament mission to Varna and Sofia to assess local security measures. He also stated that Bulgaria should have sought NATO consultations under Article 4 and urged for stronger national air defense to intercept unauthorized drones in Bulgarian airspace.