Romania identified as potential host for the future EU Black Sea Security Hub

On 1 September, the President of Romania proposed Romania as the host country for the EU’s planned Black Sea Security Hub, aimed at strengthening infrastructure protection, surveillance, and maritime security in the Black Sea region.^[1] The hub was suggested by the EU’s Black Sea Strategy^[2] in May 2025. The hub would among others have the role of “enhancing maritime situational awareness and information sharing on the Black Sea, real-time monitoring from space to seabed, and early warning of potential threats and malicious activities.” In particular, it would help monitor “critical maritime infrastructure, including submarine cables, offshore installations, gas and wind energy operations off the Romanian and Bulgarian shores, and related maritime capabilities, using existing and new technologies such as underwater sensors, unmanned/remotely piloted vessels and surveillance drones programmes (air, surface, underwater)”. As regards Coast Guards, the hub also foresees “a mechanism for broadening coast-guard cooperation in the Black Sea basin, modelled on existing mechanisms”, in particular the Mediterranean Coast Guard Functions Forum^[3]. Within this forum, the coast guards of participating countries cooperate on a wide range of issues including maritime safety, security and environmental protection.

According to Romanian news^[4], on 15 September, Romanian Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Virgil Popescu, and other Romanian MEPs sent a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen expressing support for the city of Constanta to host the Black Sea Security Hub. While the direct next steps are not clear, similar centres or hubs need a formal Council decision before they can be set up.

. The Black Sea Strategy updated the previous Black Sea Synergy^[5] dating back to 2007. The Black Sea Strategy moreover positions the region as a key link between Europe, the Southern Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighting its strategic importance for security, trade, energy, and food (notably grain) supplies. It promotes targeted investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure to boost connectivity and trade across the EU. The strategy is built on three pillars and focuses on: (1) Security, Stability, and Resilience, including protection of infrastructure and military mobility; (2) Growth and Prosperity, with energy links, green corridors, and blue economy investments; and (3) Environmental Protection, Climate Resilience, and Civil Protection, including pollution reduction, ecosystem restoration, and EU participation in the Bucharest Convention^[6], dealing with the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution. While the Strategy is not legally binding, it serves to outline the EU’s approach and priorities towards this sea basin.

^[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/romania-wants-host-planned-eu-black-sea-security-hub-president-says-2025-09-01/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

^[2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025JC0135&qid=1749565956960

^[3] https://coastguard.europa.eu/index.php/cooperation-agreements/mechanisms/mediterranean-coast-guard-functions-forum-mcgff

^[4] https://www.news.ro/politic-extern/virgil-popescu-sustin-demersul-centrul-securitate-maritima-ue-fie-gazduit-constanta-sustine-continuare-demersurile-intarim-extindem-rolul-tarii-cadrul-uniunii-europene-1922400515182025091122164949

^[5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0160:FIN:EN:PDF

^[6] https://www.unep.org/bucharest-convention