News

On 15 October, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys spoke by telephone with Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Țoiu. The ministers discussed the security situation in the Black Sea following recent attacks on civilian shipping and commercial vessels.

Minister Budrys expressed concern over the recent incidents, in which several merchant vessels were damaged or sank, where fires broke out, and crew members were killed or went missing. He stressed the need to establish the circumstances surrounding all the incidents and identify those responsible as soon as possible.

“The recent attacks on civilian shipping in the Black Sea are a cause for serious concern. We must clearly determine who was behind them and ensure a robust response from the international community. Protecting commercial shipping, critical infrastructure and freedom of navigation is not only a regional issue, but one that concerns Euro-Atlantic security as a whole,” said Budrys.

During the call, Minister Budrys expressed support for Romania’s efforts to establish the facts surrounding the incidents and discussed possible additional measures by Allies to strengthen security in the region. The Ministers also exchanged views on the need to enhance maritime situational awareness, the protection of critical infrastructure and the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

Budrys stressed that, as Lithuania prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it will continue to work to ensure that the security needs of NATO’s and the EU’s eastern flank receive due attention, including through adequate funding under the EU’s long-term financial framework.