The Romanian Parliament approved on Monday, in plenary session, with 261 votes in favour, 7 against and one abstention, the request of President Klaus Iohannis for the participation of the Romanian Army in the operations carried out under the aegis of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group – MCM BLACK SEA, as of 2024, with staff personnel – up to six servicemen and a military ship with MCM capabilities and EOD team on board, with a crew of up to 85 soldiers.

„From Romania’s perspective, in addition to responding to the real problem in the Black Sea, the creation of a task force is both a way of developing regional cooperation with its riparian allies in the Black Sea and an opportunity to attract the participation of NATO and its non-riparian allies in ensuring the security of the Black Sea. The establishment of the MCM BLACK SEA is a first in the recent history of the Black Sea region and a project of strategic importance. All the more so, the limitations of Romania and Bulgaria in terms of the mine necessary naval capabilities must be taken into account, as Turkey is the only state among those nominated that has developed capabilities to successfully carry out the mine countermeasures mission assigned to MCM BLACK SEA,” the document details.

The president also says in the letter that „the reconfiguration of the national contribution to the operations under the aegis of MCM BLACK SEA will be executed with the approval of the minister of National Defence, according to the operational requirements and the evolution of the activities of this mission, within the maximum number of the force package”.

The financial funds necessary for participation in the missions are provided from the budget allocated to the Ministry of National Defence, in accordance with the law.

AGERPRES