European Parliament calls for consideration of a Black Sea naval operation
The European Parliament asked the EU and member states to consider a naval operation in the Black Sea after attacks on merchant shipping. Its resolution also seeks stronger drone detection and protection for Romania and Bulgaria, closer regional coordination and use of existing EU funding. The vote sets out political demands; it does not launch an operation or allocate new resources.
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Parliament requests consideration of a naval operation
The European Parliament called for consideration of a naval operation in the Black Sea on October 22.[1], [2]
The resolution passed with 432 votes in favour, 52 against and 88 abstentions. It asks the European Union and its member states to examine that option after attacks on merchant shipping off Romania and Bulgaria. Members condemned those attacks and repeated violations of Romanian airspace. Parliament holds Russia responsible and describes the incidents as an escalation threatening the region. That attribution is the position adopted by the elected EU institution. The resolution also asks NATO, the transatlantic defence alliance, to consider arrangements for stronger surveillance and protection in the Black Sea.[1]
Drones and maritime infrastructure feature in the demands
Members called for closer coordination among Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye. For Romania and Bulgaria, they requested better early detection and tracking of hostile drones, alongside stronger capabilities to counter them. They also asked for a Black Sea maritime security hub to become operational. Protection of undersea electricity and data cables is another named priority, with surveillance and rapid-response capabilities among the measures sought. The resolution links these requests to the safety of shipping and the wider security situation in the Black Sea, rather than announcing completed installations or deployments.[1]
Funding requests and criticism of Bulgaria
On financing, members asked for unspent resources under the EU’s SAFE defence-financing instrument to be used and for security needs to receive greater priority in the next long-term EU budget. These demands do not themselves allocate new money. Parliament also criticised the Bulgarian government and Prime Minister Rumen Radev for what it considered an inadequate diplomatic response to the Russian threat. Members objected to delays in Bulgaria’s participation in NATO’s counter-drone initiative. Those criticisms form part of the resolution. The adopted text states Parliament’s political demands: it does not launch an EU naval operation or announce that a force has been deployed.[1]
