site.btaPresident's Foreign Policy Secretary Plugtschieva: Black Sea Should Not Remain on Periphery of European Politics

Meglena Plugtschieva, Foreign Policy Secretary of President Iliana Iotova, said Bulgaria supports the three pillars of the EU strategy for the Black Sea region and is calling for the establishment of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub to protect critical maritime infrastructure and strengthen environmental security. She was speaking at a conference on "From Constanta to Varna: Promoting and paving the way for the practical implementation of EESC Opinion and the Bulgarian ESC Resolution on the EU's Strategic Approach to the Black Sea region" held in Varna on Tuesday.

Europe needs more strategic thinking, vision and foresight. The Black Sea region should not remain on the periphery of European politics, the President's Foreign Policy Secretary said. She expressed confidence that the new government would unite the efforts of all institutions towards the practical implementation of the strategy and reaffirmed that Bulgaria would continue working for a common European approach to the region, aspiring to be a leading stabilizing factor.

The war in Ukraine showed that every attempt at destabilization has a direct impact on the security of the entire European Union, Plugtschieva said. Bulgaria has worked jointly with Romania on the development of the EU strategy for the region, she said, expressing regret that the document still lacks targeted financial resources and clear deadlines. Ensuring security in the Black Sea region requires partnership among Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye, she added.

The planned Maritime Security Hub should focus on protecting critical maritime infrastructure, disaster response and strengthening of environmental security, she said.

Regarding economic development, Plugtschieva said the Black Sea should establish itself as a zone for economic growth, innovation and investment, while the EU should actively encourage the region's energy transition. Regarding connectivity, she highlighted the importance of modernizing ports, expanding energy and digital networks and turning the Black Sea into a major European transport corridor - a priority of particular importance for Bulgaria, including in view of the gas infrastructure currently under construction.

She placed special emphasis on the environmental security of marine ecosystems. The Black Sea is the basis for tourism and fisheries in the region but faces serious challenges, including overfishing and risks to the marine environment, further aggravated by the war in Ukraine.

The conference is being held at the University of Economics Varna. The event is organized jointly by the European Economic and Social Committee and the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria. The conference is the second of its kind, following a forum in Constanta, and aims to connect the two key European Black Sea ports in a dialogue on the future of the region. It brings together representatives of European and national institutions, civil organizations, trade unions and employers' associations to discuss how the recommendations of the two advisory bodies can be implemented and integrated into Bulgaria's national positions in shaping future EU legislation.