The Strategic Importance of the Black Sea: Regional Cooperation for Energy and Defense
Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), in partnership with New Strategy Center-NSC (Romania) and Sofia Security Forum-SSF (Bulgaria), has published a joint report titled 'The Strategic Importance of the Black Sea: Regional Cooperation for Energy and Defense.'
The report was presented on 11 December at NATO HQ in Brussels to representatives of Allied nations by the study’s coordinators, George Scutaru, the CEO of NSC, Amb. Tacan İldem, Chairman of EDAM; Yordan Bozhilov, President of the SSF.
This study underscores the region’s potential as a hub for energy production and transit, with significant natural gas reserves and renewable energy opportunities, highlighting the critical roles of Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye in advancing energy diversification and sustainability.
The study also addresses the challenges posed by a complex geopolitical environment, particularly Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine and hostile actions in the Black Sea which security risks for energy infrastructure, transportation, and data connectivity. The report emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration among littoral states to protect maritime assets, foster energy independence, and attract investment. These threats necessitate a coordinated response from NATO, the EU, and regional stakeholders to safeguard critical infrastructure and maintain stability.
