The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has warned this Tuesday from Bulgaria that the recent attacks against commercial ships in the Black Sea are aimed at “spreading fear and uncertainty in Europe,” and she has guaranteed a “strong and united” Community response. Her remarks were made during an official visit in which she put forward new initiatives to strengthen maritime security in this strategic area.
Speaking to the press in the coastal city of Varna, the Community leader described the impact of drone attacks on civilian navigation. “Drones are sinking commercial vessels, setting ships on fire and killing civilians. Lives are being lost at sea, navigation is being interrupted, and the cost of insurance is skyrocketing,” she said, stressing that freedom of transit in the Black Sea “must be restored and preserved.”
To address this situation, Von der Leyen has announced the immediate availability of 10 million euros to support search and rescue operations by the Bulgarian authorities, who have had to act in response to the latest attacks on merchant vessels. This funding adds to the 50 million announced on Monday to accelerate full operational capability of the Black Sea Maritime Security Center.
At the same event, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Rumen Radev, took the floor, who assessed the support of the European Union for the initiative presented together with Romania to establish a moratorium on attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. “These attacks are unacceptable. Sailors are not part of the armed conflict and merchant ships should not be the target of attacks,” he said, highlighting that Bulgarian rescue teams have managed to save 56 sailors.
The pro-Russia-leaning leader has linked these episodes to the intensification of the war between Russia and Ukraine, although he has admitted that the international investigations that have been opened have not yet managed to determine who is behind the attacks, more than a month after the first incidents.
“We want to have more data and concrete facts about who was responsible,” Radev said, stressing that Bulgaria will not bring charges while there is no conclusive evidence.