Von der Leyen Announces €50 Million to Fast-Track Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, Plus €10 Million for Romanian Search and Rescue
Bucharest, Romania — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, appearing with Romanian President Nicușor Dan on November 9, announced €50 million to fast-track the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub and an additional €10 million for Romanian search-and-rescue operations. She said any meaningful discussion of Europe's security architecture can only take place once a ceasefire has been achieved in Ukraine.
Von der Leyen said freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and preserved, calling the waterway a vital trade route for Europe, Ukraine's economy and global food security, carrying food supplies to millions of people, many of them in Africa. Following recent deadly attacks on commercial vessels and maritime infrastructure, she announced the extra €10 million for Romanian authorities to respond rapidly to such incidents. She backed Kyiv's call for a ceasefire in the Black Sea and voiced support for the peace talks opening in Abu Dhabi on November 10 with European participation.
The hub, promoted jointly by Romania and Bulgaria, was first presented in the EU's 2025 Black Sea Strategy. Von der Leyen said that, with the security environment deteriorating faster than anticipated, the EU would agree a clear completion timeline with Romania and Bulgaria and provide the dedicated €50 million, strengthening maritime surveillance, information sharing and protection of critical infrastructure. She also noted Romania is set to receive more than €16 billion in defence financing under the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme.
(Source: European Commission)
Source: European Commission
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：欧盟委员会主席冯德莱恩（资料图）。本站档案图复用。 / Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (file photo). GSM archive image reused.
