Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria launch joint mine search operations in the Black Sea

Today, Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria have launched joint mine-sweeping operations in the Black Sea to improve the safety of shipping, including the export of Ukrainian grain. Bloomberg reports.

The Ankara-led initiative is the first major joint action by the Black Sea states since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The countries signed an agreement to jointly combat drifting sea mines that threaten navigation in the Black Sea in January this year. Turkish Defense Minister Yashar Guler said at the time that the agreement creates a special group of representatives of the three NATO allies to combat the mines. Mines pose a threat to ports, communication networks and key water infrastructure.

Russia and Ukraine are key grain producers, and the war has jeopardized the safe passage of goods. Last year, Kyiv launched its own Black Sea export route after the collapse of the secure corridor agreement, which was supported by Russia, Turkey and the UN. It has successfully boosted exports and helped the economy grow faster than forecast, but the route remains risky.

Since the opening of the sea corridor in August 2023, Ukraine has exported 37.4 million tons of agricultural products from Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdennyi port, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry reported last week.

Tags: Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Black Sea region, Black Sea grain corridor