site.btaRomanian President Says EU Must Support Black Sea Region Economically

At Romania's request, EU Member States have discussed a strategy for the Black Sea region during the European Council meeting in Brussels. Following the first day of discussions on Thursday, Romanian President Nicusor Dan said in a live-streamed statement that the main goal of the strategy is regional stabilization, adding that the European Union must support the region economically.

Asked whether Romania would host a European maritime security centre, the head of State said that this is not what is most important.

The most important thing is to make the Black Sea region safer. The European Union must support the region economically to help ensure its long-term stability. The strategy also includes a sustainability component, Dan said.

As to the location of the security centre, should Romania host it, President Dan said Constanța would be the only viable option, as it is the country’s main port.

Earlier in June, the daily Adevarul published an interview with Alina Akim-Inaiye, a specialist in security, defense, and geo-economic issues related to the Black Sea. She noted that Romania lacks a national strategy for the Black Sea region, and is falling behind Bulgaria in this area.

"Although Bulgaria is in political crisis, it is ahead of Romania on many issues, including in strategic terms, as it already has its own clear strategy,” Akim-Inaiye said. As far as the Black Sea strategy is concerned, neighbouring countries south of the Danube are in a much stronger position simply because they have finalized their strategies and know how to pursue their interests, while Romania is still waiting, she added.