Turkish deputy minister: Black Sea shifts impact Europe

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay has emphasised that developments in the Black Sea region have an “enormous” impact on broader European security. Speaking at the 10th Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum in Bucharest, Bozay noted that the Black Sea is a basin that extends beyond its littoral states, pointing to Albania and Greece as members of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, headquartered in Istanbul.

Security, connectivity, and NATO summit preparations

Bozay warned that any shift in the Black Sea’s security dynamics would have “enormous” repercussions for the Mediterranean across all aspects of security — military, environmental, and economic. On connectivity, he said Türkiye and the EU are working on multiple projects, stressing that “connectivity is not a linear thing” and must include north-south, east-west, and west-east links. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said the Bucharest Nine will coordinate preparations for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.

Germany’s strategic view and Türkiye’s role

Geza Andreas von Geyr, Germany’s state secretary for foreign affairs, called the Black Sea region “one of the most strategically important areas for the future security, stability and prosperity of Europe,” adding: “What happens in the Black Sea does not stay there.” Bozay told Anadolu that Türkiye’s relations with Romania are “at their best in all areas,” and highlighted Türkiye’s growing geopolitical role, including hosting COP31. “There were very positive comments about Türkiye’s hosting of the NATO summit,” he said. The two-day forum, with Anadolu as global communications partner, runs alongside the Bucharest Nine summit.