EU pledges €50 million for Black Sea Maritime Security Hub

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced €50 million in dedicated funding for the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub. Speaking at a joint press conference with Romanian President Nicuşor Dan in Bucharest, Romania’s capital, von der Leyen welcomed growing maritime security cooperation between Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria. Her remarks focused on strengthening the capacity to respond to what she described as a deteriorating security environment in the Black Sea.

Key points from the announcement

Dedicated funding of €50 million was announced for the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub.
Romanian authorities will also receive an additional €10 million for search and rescue operations.
The idea for the hub was first raised in mid-2025.

What changes for Romanian authorities and regional cooperation?

The announced support has two distinct purposes: providing additional resources for Romanian authorities’ search and rescue operations and bringing the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub into operation. Support for operations and funding to complete the hub were therefore presented as separate allocations in the announcement.

The next steps for the hub will be to accelerate work and set a clear timetable for completion. Announcing these plans, von der Leyen stressed the need for a sense of urgency on defence and security. Türkiye was mentioned in the context of growing maritime security cooperation with Romania and Bulgaria.

What security threats were highlighted in the Black Sea?

Romanian President Dan said drone attacks were the most visible examples of recent incidents in the Black Sea. He also highlighted sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. His account showed that the region’s security concerns extend beyond incidents at sea to include digital attacks and interference in the information space.

Von der Leyen also said the capacity to respond to crises at EU member states’ borders needed to be strengthened. She said the security environment had deteriorated faster than anticipated since the idea for the hub was first raised.

Dan stressed the Black Sea’s importance to Europe’s energy security and thanked the EU for its support. He also said Romania would continue supporting Ukraine.

A ceasefire as a condition for Ukraine talks

Von der Leyen also linked peace talks on Ukraine to Europe’s security architecture. She said meaningful discussions about that architecture could not take place without a ceasefire in Ukraine.

She said these discussions should take place in an appropriate forum, particularly with the participation of NATO allies and EU member states. Her remarks set out both a prerequisite for security discussions and her position on who should participate.

Frequently asked questions

What did the EU say about Türkiye?

Von der Leyen said she welcomed growing maritime security cooperation between Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria.

Are the €50 million and €10 million allocations for the same purpose?

No. The €50 million in dedicated funding will support the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, while the additional €10 million will support Romanian authorities’ search and rescue operations.

Source: Haber 7’s report on the joint press conference.