The Permanent Representative, Tamila Tasheva, participated in the panel discussion The EU’s Black Sea Strategy and the New Security Dimension. Building a More Strategic Perspective, held within the high-level seminar Taking CSDP Partnership Forward: The Case of the Eastern Partnership on November 6.

The discussion was joined by Luc Devigne, Deputy Managing Director for Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE European External Action Service; Ioana Mureșan, Head of the Security Policies Division at Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Tsvetana Khrusteva, Bulgaria’s Special Envoy for the Eastern Partnership; Dr. Teona Giuashvili, Research Fellow in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Denis Cenusa, an Associated Expert at the EESC Think Tank, moderated the event.

In her remarks, the Permanent Representative emphasized the critical role of Black Sea security as a foundation for stability across the entire region. She noted that the Black Sea serves as a vital transport corridor and a vital link for economic routes between Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. However, this strategically significant region now faces grave challenges due to the ongoing war, directly threatening the stability of Europe as a whole.

“Since the temporary occupation of Crimea in 2014, the Black Sea region has become a springboard for further Russian aggression, with the weak response of the international community laying the groundwork for the full-scale invasion in 2022. The blockade of Ukrainian ports and Russian attacks on port infrastructure have implications not only economically but also for global food security,” Tamila Tasheva stressed.

The Permanent Representative underscored Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to maintaining its territorial integrity and defending the rights of its citizens. She highlighted that national security involves not only securing peace on land or deterring military threats in the Black Sea, but also supporting those who continue to endure pressure under occupation, particularly in Crimea. Tamila Tasheva stated that the de-occupation process is especially crucial in protecting the rights of Ukraine’s Indigenous peoples.

“Some countries mistakenly view compromises involving territorial concessions in negotiations with Russia as a path to peace. However, true stability in the Black Sea region will only be possible when Ukraine’s territorial integrity is fully restored,” the Permanent Representative emphasized.

Tamila Tasheva pointed out that maintaining Ukraine’s economic and social stability should also be a priority for the European Union. Investments in infrastructure restoration, economic reforms, and rebuilding programs will bolster Ukraine’s resilience to external pressures and enhance Black Sea regional security. She added that EU support in the European integration process would strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, particularly through modernizing military standards in line with European norms. Participants also discussed joint naval exercises and patrols to reinforce the security of Ukraine and neighboring states and initiatives to uphold freedom of navigation in the region.