Romania’s Foreign Minister, Oana-Silvia Toiu, has underscored the significance of a robust military procurement partnership with Türkiye, confirming that the nation’s latest naval capabilities are sourced from the Turkish defense sector. Speaking during a press briefing on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Toiu noted that the collaboration extends beyond mere procurement, serving as a practical demonstration of the alliance to the Romanian public. She highlighted the recent presence of Turkish naval forces in Constanta during Romania’s national naval celebration as a visible testament to this ongoing cooperation.
Toiu, who held discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at the UN, confirmed that Romania is currently collaborating with both Bulgaria and Türkiye on a joint Black Sea de-mining task force. This trilateral effort has been operational for several years and is now expanding in scope. According to the Foreign Minister, a recent summit in Ankara resulted in an agreement to intensify the partnership to ensure the protection of critical regional infrastructure. This focus encompasses the security of undersea cables, energy infrastructure, and a collective capacity to safeguard the Black Sea as a whole.
Addressing the broader geopolitical climate, Toiu expressed skepticism regarding isolated ceasefires focused solely on energy sites amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. She advocated for a more comprehensive approach to infrastructure security, arguing that any pause in hostilities must also protect vital food and trade transit corridors. Romania, which relies on Black Sea commercial lanes for importing petrol from Kazakhstan, views the security of these shipping routes as inseparable from the overall stability of the Black Sea. Toiu noted that she planned to meet with the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan during the UN proceedings to discuss the preservation and strengthening of these critical trade connections.
