site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria Approaches Turkiye for Clarification on Oil Tanker's Entry in Bulgarian Waters

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev and Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov met with Turkish Ambassador here Mehmet Uyanik and requested clarification from Turkiye regarding the entry of the oil tanker Kairos in Bulgarian waters, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The meeting was initiated on Friday by the Bulgarian side in connection with an incident involving the tanker, which dropped anchor near Ahtopol, and the need for a full and timely clarification of all circumstances surrounding the case, the Foreign Ministry added.

On Friday, the Gambian-flagged Kairos ran aground off the coast of Ahtopol, with a ten-member crew on board. Previously it was being towed by the Turkish vessel Timur Bey, but the two ships separated in Bulgarian territorial waters, and the Turkish ship then returned south.

Minister Karadjov presented detailed information on the movements of the tug Timur Bey from Turkish to Bulgarian territorial waters, as well as the exact coordinates from which the towing of Kairos began. The data clearly indicate movement toward the Bulgarian coast, entry into Bulgarian territorial waters, and the abandonment of the tanker six miles off the shoreline. The Bulgarian side requested that Turkiye conduct an investigation into the actions of the tug and clarify who commissioned the operation and what its purpose was. 

Ambassador Mehmet Uyanik said that the towing of the tanker was carried out without Ankara’s knowledge by a private Turkish company without prior notification to the Turkish state.  According to the ambassador, Turkish institutions have already launched an investigation into the incident and will provide full information to the Bulgarian authorities promptly.

The Foreign Ministry will continue to closely monitor the development of the situation and maintain active coordination with the competent institutions and allies.

Issues related to regional security in the Black Sea were also discussed during the meeting. Foreign Minister Georgiev stressed the importance of the region as a strategic element of the security of Europe and the transatlantic community, especially in the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. He highlighted the need for enhanced coordination within NATO, improved situational awareness, and effective measures against hybrid threats.

Earlier on Monday, four crew members from the tanker, which was stranded near Ahtopol three days ago, were evacuated. Service members from the Navy conducted the operation successfully using a Panther helicopter, the Defence Ministry said.

In the late afternoon of December 7, three people were evacuated from the vessel and accommodated in Varna. With the help of air support, food and water were delivered to the remaining part of the crew. A diesel generator was also delivered on board. By a decision of the vessel owner, three people will remain on the vessel, the Transport Ministry said on Sunday.