Turkiye, Bulgaria and Romania sign Black Sea demining agreement

Within the scope of the ‘Trilateral Initiative’ launched with Romania and Bulgaria under the leadership of Turkiye against the mine threat in the Black Sea, the MCM Black Sea Task Group Memorandum of Understanding is being signed

Within the “Trilateral Initiative” framework launched with Romania and Bulgaria under Turkiye’s leadership against the mine threat in the Black Sea, the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures (MCM Black Sea) Task Group Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Istanbul on Thursday.

The agreement hosted by Turkiye aims to contribute to regional security and stability in the Black Sea.

The repercussions of the war that started in Ukraine in February 2022 have begun to impact the Black Sea littoral countries.

The 1907 Hague Convention prohibits the use of sea mines that do not automatically render themselves harmless after one hour if they become detached from their moorings for any reason. However, there is no provision on whether the firing mechanisms of the mines will be deactivated if they drift.

Since March 26, 2022, the Naval Forces Command has been conducting uninterrupted mine surveillance activities with maritime patrol aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, Tuzla-class patrol ships, mine hunting ships, sudden intervention boats, coast surveillance radars and electro-optical systems.

In addition to the measures taken, with the efforts initiated under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it was agreed with Romania and Bulgaria to establish a “Mine Countermeasures Task Group” against the threat of drifting mines in the Black Sea, and negotiations were started last September at the level of technical delegations.

STRENGTHENING BLACK SEA SECURITY

It is noted that the establishment of the group, designed to enhance navigation safety in the Black Sea, is not being directed against any specific country or entity. Instead, the group has been formed solely for defence purposes.

Under the initiative, the Annual Operation Plan will be determined annually, including issues such as exercises, training, and port visits.

Furthermore, the three littoral NATO allies will continue their efforts to make the Black Sea a safe region again in an operationally functional state through the “MCM Black Sea” initiative.

The MCM Task Group MoU outlines the intention to establish a committee. This committee, featuring the participation of the Naval Forces Commanders from the involved parties, is envisioned to serve as the executive body of the initiative. Regular meetings, occurring at least twice a year, are planned to facilitate coordination and collaboration among the member countries.

Additionally, the initiative envisages a rotational command structure, with leadership changing every six months. Commanders for the units and fleets tasked with mission execution will be appointed from the country assuming control during each designated period. 

The initiative is expected to consist of one mine countermeasures ship and one command and control ship from each country and to carry out operations at least twice every six months for periods of 15 days each.

The task group is intended to be activated after the signing of the memorandum, following the domestic legal procedures of all three countries.

Source: Newsroom