Romania has taken over command of the MCM Black Sea Task Group 

 

       Romania took over the command of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group (MCM BS TG) on Wednesday, July 9th, during a ceremony that took place in the Port of Constanța.

       The activity was attended by the Minister of National Defence, Liviu-Ionuț Moșteanu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gheorghiță Vlad, ambassadors, chiefs of naval forces of Black Sea bordering states and military attachés accredited to Romania.

       The naval task group is made up of military ships specialized in countering sea mines from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. The command was taken over by the Romanian Naval Forces from the Bulgarian partners, for the next six months, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the MCM Black Sea, signed on January 11th, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey.

        "Romania's taking over of the command represents the recognition of the Romanian Naval Forces’ expertise and training in the mine countermeasures field. Our ability to respond professionally and promptly to imminent challenges is a guarantee of the stability and security of the Black Sea region” the Romanian official stated. The Romanian official emphasized the relevance of such a multinational project for NATO's eastern flank, with a strategic role for the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic space, especially in the context of the deterioration of the security environment generated by the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine.

       Two MCM Black Sea activations will take place throughout the mission, during which the ships will participate in international exercises in the Black Sea. The Romanian Naval Forces participate with 274th “Vice-Admiral Constantin Bălescu” Minelayer, the Group’s commanding ship, and the M-270th “Second Lieutenant Ion Ghiculescu” Mine-hunter, while the Bulgarian and Turkish Naval Forces will each contribute a ship with mine countermeasure capabilities.

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       The main mission of the MCM Black Sea TG is to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea waters through surveillance missions, actions to neutralize possible dangers posed to maritime traffic, as well as through related search and rescue activities at sea.

The Press Office