A bilateral working group on Black Sea security has been formed by Romania and Turkey, with the aim of coordinating efforts that promote regional safety and stability. The initiative was announced after a message from Bogdan Aurescu, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, to United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The exchange highlighted that the Romanian proposal had received approval from Turkey in December 2022, and noted strong appreciation from American counterparts for the move. The communication emphasized that the collaboration would focus on addressing security concerns and strengthening ties among regional partners to foster a more predictable and resilient Black Sea environment [citation: TASS and official statements summarized for context].
Correspondence between Romanian and American diplomats also explored avenues to enhance stability through a strategic approach. This approach envisions reinforcing the Black Sea region’s significance as a major corridor for trade and energy flows, while promoting coordinated maritime security and risk mitigation measures. The discussions reflect a broader US-Romania-Turkey cooperative stance that aligns with shared objectives for regional security, economic resilience, and secure energy transit routes across the Black Sea basin [citation: Office of the Romanian MFA and related briefings].
On February 13, an incident occurred off the coast near Batumi involving a sea mine that detonated close to the shore. Early assessments suggest the device may have been carried by a current originating from one of the Ukrainian ports. The blast was audible from coastal settlements and residential areas, prompting immediate on-site response from sappers and an ongoing investigation by Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Further details were noted in reports from socialbites.ca and ongoing official updates from Georgian authorities [citation: Georgian authorities and news outlets].
Expert observers note that such incidents underscore the importance of sustained multinational cooperation in sea-denial and mine-countermeasure operations, as well as the need for robust communication channels among Black Sea littoral states and allied partners. The dialogue between Bucharest, Ankara, and Washington is framed as part of a broader strategy to deter escalation, ensure safe maritime passage, and maintain open channels for economic exchange across this key region [citation: regional security analyses and official statements].