Bulgaria Takes Over Chairmanship of Black Sea Mine Action Group After Turkey
Leadership of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Group for the next six months has been transferred from Turkey to Bulgaria. The handover ceremony took place in Varna with the participation of the naval commanders of the three countries participating in the initiative: Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria. This was reported by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.
As part of the official ceremony in Sofia, the previous commander, Turkish Admiral Selçuk Akar, handed over the flag and the group's book of honour to the new commander, Captain 1st Class Pavlin Petkov.
The event was attended by Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Defence Radostin Iliev, as well as the Commanders of the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish navies: Rear Admiral Kirill Mikhailov, Vice Admiral Mihai Panayit and Admiral Ercüment Tatlioglu.
‘I thank you all for the professionalism you demonstrated during the exercise, for your concern for maritime safety, and for what you have already done to prevent the danger posed by sea mines and ensure safe trade routes,’ said Radostin Iliyev.
According to the Deputy Minister, the establishment of the Mine Action Team demonstrates the capabilities, interoperability, strength and unity of the Allies, and strengthens NATO's presence in the Black Sea region.
The Joint Mine Countermeasures Force, formed by Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria, is not a NATO operation, but is the first major joint initiative by the Black Sea Allies since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The group focuses on clearing mines that have been drifting in the Black Sea as a result of the war. The agreement to create the joint force was signed on 11 January 2024.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence stressed that the group's activities are not directed against any country, and the demining operation is intended to increase cooperation between the participants. The initiative remains open to the participation of other NATO mine action forces located outside the Black Sea region.
The group's activities are aimed at creating a safe environment for civilian vessels in the Black Sea, minimising the risk of mine accidents.