NATO countries in the Black Sea basin - Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria - have started a joint operation to search for and remove mines in the Black Sea, Bloomberg reported.

The initiative to secure the maritime routes in the Black Sea belongs to the Turkish government, which culminated in a joint agreement, signed on January 11, which allowed the naval forces of Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria to establish a joint fleet, intended for patrolling and removing mines near their coasts.

According to the signatories of the agreement, this should improve navigation safety for grain and food exports from Ukraine – the sea mine action group will create normal conditions for the movement of civilian ships in the Black Sea, minimizing the risk of explosions.

In the two years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Black Sea countries have defused dozens of mines in their territorial waters, but there are still hundreds of Russian “gifts” that pose a serious threat to shipping. The maritime corridor, which became operational last September, has ensured the supply of more than 38 million tonnes of agricultural products to 45 countries.

The operation, including the route of the ships to the port of Giurgiulesti, which gives Moldova access to the world ocean, are also in the interests of our country.

The International Free Port of Giurgiulesti (PILG), located on the maritime section of the Danube river, with the available water depth of up to 7m, is capable of receiving both river and sea vessels. In this context, PILG represents a regional logistics center at the border of the European Union, with access to land communication routes, narrow and broad gauge railways, and river and maritime communication routes. Moreover, the port of Giurgiulesti is the main direct river-sea point of distribution and transshipment in and from Moldova.