We must clearly identify threats in Black Sea and work out ways to overcome them — Emine Dzhaparova

With its act of aggression in 2014, russia effectively destroyed the entire security architecture, and of the six Black Sea countries, it is russia that is a constant source of danger in the Black Sea. The task of the Black Sea security is to tell not only the Black Sea countries, but also the wider region that this is a matter of danger, and it is a source of danger.

Emine Dzhaparova, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine made this statement at Media Center Ukraine — Ukrinform during the discussion of the results of the First Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform.

“We must have a clear vision, strategy of how we must act. We must clearly identify the threats, and, in fact, work out ways to overcome these threats. Undoubtedly, the dynamics of the war also affect this. But it is this war and the full-scale aggression that is an additional lever and an additional argument why all of us in the Black Sea must unite,” she said.

Commenting on joint work during the Black Sea Security Conference, which was attended by more than 250 participants from more than 50 countries, Emine Dzhaparova noted the practical steps of joint actions discussed at the event. Notably, the issue of mine clearance was raised at the conference.

“As for practical steps of our joint actions, at the beginning we talked about demining. Ukraine, unfortunately, is the most mine-polluted country in the world today. There are mines across 175,000 square kilometers of land and sea. And mine clearance is a long-term issue. We understand that demining is a strategic issue, it is a matter of priority, and we encourage countries to start demining projects in the Black Sea,” she added.

In addition, Emine Dzhaparova noted the discussion on a joint patrol in the Black Sea.

“The joint patrol project. It is a sensitive matter and we understand that some countries have their own interests and some things are hard enough to push. But we believe that there should be a joint patrol, NATO presence at the level that was some time ago is preferable. But we believe that the balance of forces, which will be demonstrated by NATO countries, is also necessary,” she explained.

At the same time, Emine Dzhaparova pointed out that the partners who had participated in the conference are particularly interested in the visions, issues and solutions raised during the event.

“The partners are interested. The Black Sea countries are most interested. We want Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia to step up, not only Türkiye, which dominates in the Black Sea alongside russia today. We believe that this is a common interest of at least the Black Sea countries, which must have a strategy, and we are pushing the countries to do so,” Emine Dzhaparova noted.

As reported, on April 12-13, the First Black Sea Security Conference was held in Bucharest. Experts and politicians from more than 50 countries took part at the event. Within the framework of the conference, work was done to develop a road map for the protection of the Black Sea region from russian aggression and its future after the return of Crimea and the victory of Ukraine.

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