Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria launched a joint operation to search for mines in the Black Sea
Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria have launched joint minesweeping operations in the Black Sea to improve shipping safety, especially during the export of Ukrainian grain. The initiative, led by Istanbul, is the first major joint operation by the Black Sea countries since the Russian invasion and aims to clear mines drifting in certain areas of the sea as a result of the war.
Key facts
- Russia and Ukraine are key grain producers, and the war has threatened security of supply. Kyiv launched its own export route through the Black Sea last year after the “grain deal” involving Russia, Turkey and the UN was halted.
- The Ukrainian temporary corridor has successfully increased exports, but this path remains risky.
- Last year, a Russian missile strike near the key Ukrainian port of Odesa hit a merchant ship.
- NATO allies have stepped up surveillance and reconnaissance in the region since the start of the war, but not naval activity because of an international agreement that allows passage for warships belonging only to Black Sea states.
Context
On December 28, a civilian ship under the flag of Panama, which was headed to one of the Danube ports to be loaded with grain, was detonated by an enemy sea mine in the Black Sea. Establishment of a Naval Group: On January 11, Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a Naval Mine Defense Group in the Black Sea. During the 10 months of operation of the Ukrainian maritime corridor, a record amount of cargo was transported, in particular, 37.4 million tons of agricultural products were exported to 45 countries.
