site.btaTurkish Naval Ship Arif Ekmekci Docks in Burgas during Black Sea Mission

The Turkish naval ship T.C.G. UTGM. Arif Ekmekci has docked at the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Burgas. The vessel, along with T.C.G. Ayvalik, is part of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group (MCM Black Sea), which is conducting its eighth activation.

The visit to Burgas is part of the operational group’s current mission, the Turkish Embassy in Sofia reported. The Turkish vessels will be formally presented in Bulgaria on Monday, January 12, in Burgas. Turkiye's Consul General in Burgas and the Military Attache to Sofia will be present on board.

Turkiye assumed rotational command of the MCM Black Sea from Romania on January 8. At the time, the Commander of the Bulgarian Navy, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, emphasized that the group is a successful example of cooperation and a guarantee of security in the region.

Bulgaria is participating in the current activation with its base minesweeper Priboy. The country is scheduled to take over the MCM Black Sea command in July.