Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, Romania Minister of Defence Angel Tilvar and Bulgaria Deputy Defence Secretary Atanas Zapryanov met in İstanbul for Tripartite Agreement that was established by Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria against the mine threat in the Black Sea. At the ceremony held in Kalender Kasrı at İstanbul, ministers have signed the Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group (MCM Black Sea) agreement.

Speech delivered by Minister Yaşar Güler at the ceremony;

It is Our Pleasure to Host This Ceremony

We are signing the “Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group” (MCM Black Sea) within the context of “Tripartite Agreement” established under the leadership of our country with Romania and Bulgaria against the mine threat in Black Sea. By improving our current close cooperation and coordination, we mutually decided to sign a protocol between three countries aiming to fight more actively against the mine threat in Black Sea. Today we came together for this. I would like to state that it is a great pleasure to host the signing ceremony of this agreement that will contribute to the regional safety and stability of the Black Sea, and hereby to welcome the Romania Minister of Defence Angel Tilvar and Bulgaria Deputy Defence Secretary Atanas Zapryanov in Türkiye.

We Have Implemented and Keep Implementing the Montreux Convention Impartially

As already known, Black Sea littoral states were affected in different ways by the war that broke out in Ukraine on February 2022. First of all, I would like to emphasize that in this sensitive period which the risks and threats are increasing and conflicts are evolving into wars, as Türkiye, we make multifaceted efforts on establishing regional and global safety, peace and stability.

Within this context, we have made intensive diplomatic efforts under the leadership of our president to stop the conflicts, provide humanitarian aid, establish a grain corridor and achieve lasting peace. As Türkiye, in the direction of principal of regional ownership, we implemented and keep implementing the Montreux Convention which poses great importance on the safety of region and maintaining the balance in the Black Sea carefully, responsibly and impartially. We thank all the states that have adhered to the rules of Montreux Convention so far, and expect the same from all these states in the future. In these times, abstaining from the security risks that may be aroused by the war has become vital for coastal allies.

We Presented Proposal to Romania and Bulgaria For Cooperation

After the break out of war, we began developing measures to eliminate the threat posed by drifting mines in the Black Sea and by taking great responsibilities, our Navy Forces made great efforts. In order to make our efforts more efficient and beneficial, we thought it would be appropriate to cooperate with our allies in the Black Sea. Indeed, right after the proposal we presented to our allies, Romania and Bulgaria, we adopted a strategic vision. In this framework, we came to terms on the establishment of Mine Countermeasure Task Group against the mine threat, drifting in the Black Sea. Following this, our technical delegates started negotiations in the last September.

Our delegates worked intensively to actualize this critical initiative and have made great progress in this short period. Thus, we have come to this point with joint efforts of our allies, Bulgarians and Romanians. Now, I would like to express my gratitude to Romanian and Bulgarian authorities for quickly responding to our proposal and providing immediate support with their qualified personnel considering the importance of the subject. I believe that this initiative is also vital in the context of “Allied Regional Efforts” mentioned in the NATO Vilnius Summit declaration.

Cooperation Will Contribute to the Safety of Navigation in the Black Sea

In conclusion, I reckon that the Memorandum of Understanding we signed today will make great contributions to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. Besides, I strongly believe that these efforts will enhance the close cooperations, provide a chance for sharing our professional experiences and improve our relations, especially in the Black Sea.

Hereby I wish this Agreement of Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group to be good for aforementioned countries and Turkish Armed Forces, and hope that it will make good contributions to safety of Black Sea and regions around.

Before I end my speech, I would like to express my gratitude once again to the Romania Minister of Defence Angel Tilvar and Bulgaria Deputy Defence Secretary Atanas Zapryanov for being here today and for their efforts on the establishment of this agreement.