The Supreme Defence Council reaffirms that Black Sea security is an essential component of both national and Euro-Atlantic security
Supreme Defence Council meeting (photo: presidency.ro)
Ştefan Stoica,
23.10.2026, 14:00
The new Romanian PM Luca Niculescu and his cabinet ministers took part for the first time in Thursday’s meeting of the Supreme Defence Council (CSAT). The agenda included the escalation of maritime incidents, specifically violations of national airspace and drone strikes against trading vessels within or in the immediate vicinity of Romania’s territorial waters.
The Council found that these highly serious developments are direct consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression beyond Ukraine’s borders. Council members discussed the measures required to further strengthen national surveillance, prevention, and response capabilities, with the aim of defending territorial waters and critical infrastructure, as well as ensuring the security of merchant shipping.
To bolster the national response capacity, strategic priorities focus on the accelerated development of maritime surveillance capabilities, naval mine countermeasures, and effective intervention against drones that enter national airspace or maritime territory without authorisation.
The Supreme Defence Council also examined ways to enhance coordination within NATO, including the strengthening of the deterrence and defence posture on the Eastern Flank. CSAT members emphasised that security at the Black Sea is an essential component of both national and Euro-Atlantic security, and that Romania, in close coordination with its Allies and partners, will continue to work to protect its national interests and prevent escalation.
Meanwhile in Strasbourg the European Parliament firmly condemned the most recent attacks that resulted in casualties off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania, as well as the repeated violations of Romanian airspace. In a resolution, the EP holds Russia responsible for attacks on civilian vessels and for the escalation of its war of aggression against Ukraine in the western Black Sea.
MEPs propose the deployment of an EU naval operation in the Black Sea, stressing that freedom of navigation and maritime security are integral to securing NATO’s eastern flank, the Black Sea region, and the Danube Delta.
They also call on NATO to consider an initiative for the Black Sea, building upon existing talks regarding a prospective “Black Sea sentinel,” and highlight the importance of closer regional cooperation among Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.
The text also urges EU member states, in cooperation with NATO, to support Bulgaria and Romania in the early detection and tracking of hostile drones that threaten maritime shipping in the Black Sea. Furthermore, it calls on the EU to swiftly implement the initiative for a Black Sea Maritime Security Centre, designed to help strengthen maritime safety and security, as well as protect critical maritime infrastructure and the marine environment. Furthermore, European Parliament members call for unspent SAFE funds to be used to help Romania and Bulgaria address these challenges. (AMP)
