Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria to form Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Group to protect navigation

The Ministries of Defense of Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria are preparing to sign a memorandum on the establishment of the Naval Mine Countermeasures Group in the Black Sea (MCM Black Sea) to ensure the safety of navigation and support the export of Ukrainian grain. Bloomberg reports, citing sources.

The memorandum will be signed on January 11 in Istanbul by the defense ministers of the three countries. The initiative aims to control demining operations in the Black Sea, where Russian aggression has threatened shipping and complicated the situation for Ukraine in the waters.

NATO member states have decided to join forces to ensure security in the Black Sea by establishing the MCM Black Sea. This group will include demining ships, patrol vessels, helicopters, and drones. Turkey, with the largest number of ships, will be assigned the lead role in this initiative.

Bulgarian officials have stated that MCM Black Sea is aimed at strengthening good neighborly relations, but is not intended to replace NATO's presence in the region.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense emphasized that the initiative will help strengthen the alliance's deterrence and defense of the eastern flank.

MCM Black Sea is expected to help improve interoperability between participants and contribute to the Black Sea deterrence and defense strategy without undermining NATO's support and presence in the region.