„Firm” support for states such as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and a comprehensive approach to security in the Black Sea region are „essential” in the short and medium term in relation to the possible evolution of the situation, Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said on Friday at the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum.

„The war in Ukraine has shown the need for a robust, strong allied presence in the Black Sea region, and the need for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to join the European Union is very clear, a process we strongly support. (…) Strong support for states such as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and a comprehensive approach to security in the Black Sea region are essential. We need to work together to strengthen the Republic of Moldova’s resilience,” minister Tilvar said.

According to him, Moscow’s illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 has turned the Black Sea into the main line of confrontation between the Russian Federation and those it considers its adversaries and has increased instability in the region, affecting the interests of NATO and the riparian countries, including Romania.

„In this way, Russia has ushered in a new era of hybrid warfare in the Black Sea region where non-conventional means, including information manipulation and foreign interference, have become prevalent. The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has created a major security crisis in Europe, highlighting the need for robust defence capabilities,” added Angel Tilvar.

According to the Defence minister, the Black Sea is a central hub linking Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Caspian Sea, the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea, a transit route between the West and the East, facilitating links between Europe and Eurasia through the Middle Corridor which includes critical infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines, fibre optic cables, and from this perspective any event in the region has a considerable geopolitical impact.

AGERPRES