In brief
In Sofia, defense ministers of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey condemned drone attacks on Black Sea merchant vessels and agreed on a trilateral coordination mechanism. They planned joint measures to counter low‑flying threats and to acquire new surface‑to‑air missiles for patrol ships, underscoring the importance of secure navigation for regional trade and stability.
In Sofia on 26 February 2027, defense ministers from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey met to condemn drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea and to agree on a new trilateral coordination mechanism to protect navigation and security.
Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said the talks were prompted by attacks that had hit merchant ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone a week or two earlier. He stressed that the three countries would seek a common position and that the measures discussed would be made public only after full agreement.
Romanian Minister Stefan‑Radu Oprea and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler echoed the condemnation. Guler said commercial vessels had been affected by drones, stray mines and missiles, and that Turkey was ready to prevent further attacks.
The ministers also agreed to establish a coordination mechanism to provide a faster response to developments in Black Sea security. They discussed initiatives for countering low‑flying threats and for acquiring MICA surface‑to‑air missiles for patrol ships. The Council of Ministers was expected to decide on two memoranda: one on Bulgaria’s participation in a low‑flying threat project, and another on the missile acquisition.
A recent incident – a container ship struck by three maritime drones about 21 nautical miles southeast of Shabla – was cited as the latest in a series of attacks that raised alarm over the safety of commercial shipping in the region.
All three countries said they would work together to maintain freedom of navigation and to deter future hostile actions. The agreement follows calls from Turkey to halt further Black Sea ship attacks, as reported by Turkish Minute, and underscores the high stakes for regional trade corridors and maritime stability.
