European Parliament calls on the EU to consider a naval operation in the Black Sea after deadly attacks on merchant ships

The European Parliament voted on Thursday 22 October to call on the EU and its member states to consider deploying a naval operation in the Black Sea, after what it called the latest deadly attacks on civilian merchant vessels. The resolution was adopted with 432 votes in favour, 52 against and 88 abstentions, according to Parliament’s press service.

The text condemns the strikes off the coast of Bulgaria and Romania, as well as repeated violations of Romanian airspace. It holds Russia responsible for attacking civilian ships and for widening its war against Ukraine into the western Black Sea. Parliament says the attacks fit a pattern in which Moscow has systematically targeted civilian shipping, and describes Russia as the overall driver behind the deteriorating situation in the region. The press release carries no Russian response.

Naval operation and NATO initiative

MEPs argue that freedom of navigation and maritime security are part of securing NATO’s eastern flank, the Black Sea region and the Danube delta. Besides the possible EU naval operation, they ask NATO to consider a Black Sea initiative, building on existing discussions about a possible “Black Sea Sentry”. They also stress closer regional cooperation between Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

The resolution asks EU countries, working with NATO, to help Bulgaria and Romania detect and track hostile drones that threaten shipping, and calls for the EU Black Sea maritime security hub to become operational quickly. Unspent funds under the SAFE instrument should be used to help the two countries, the text says. It also calls for better protection of submarine telecommunications, electricity and data cables through maritime surveillance, regional cooperation and rapid-response mechanisms.

Criticism of Bulgaria’s response

Parliament voices concern about what it calls the Bulgarian government’s ambiguous handling of the Russian threat and regrets Sofia’s weak diplomatic response to Moscow. It calls on Prime Minister Rumen Radev to “match demands for allied solidarity with concrete action” and urges Bulgaria to stop delaying its participation in NATO’s anti-drone initiative on lower-level air threats. The resolution also commends the Romanian and Bulgarian rescue services, border police and passing merchant vessels that helped crews.

Background

The vote follows the statement by the EU High Representative on the escalation in the Black Sea, reported in EU foreign policy chief says six suspected Russian drone attacks in ten days mark a dangerous escalation in the Black Sea, and NATO’s decision covered in NATO to send more surveillance and forensic assets to the Black Sea after drone attacks on merchant ships. A Parliament resolution is a political position and does not by itself commit the Council or member states to an operation.