Bulgaria will take over command of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Group, a trilateral naval initiative involving Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, with the leadership role rotating every six months among the three participating countries.
Turkey currently holds command of the group, but responsibility will be transferred to Bulgaria on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported.
Since becoming operational on July 1, 2024, the group has carried out 10 activations aimed at strengthening maritime security and ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea.
The initiative was established through a memorandum of understanding signed by the three NATO member states on January 11, 2024, creating the first trilateral mine countermeasures formation among Black Sea allies.
During the NATO summit in Ankara, the defense ministers of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey signed an amendment to the memorandum that expanded the group’s responsibilities.
