Black Sea Countries Want Black Sea Force

Six Black Sea coastal states want to form a joint naval force. Negotiations began on December 6 in Istanbul to last a week. The new formation will be designated the Black Sea Force.

Taking part in the talks, within the framework of a conference called Authorized Cooperation Groups of Black Sea Countries are Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, and, of course, Ukraine. Kyiv is inclined to insist that the talks aimed at strengthening confidence on the Black Sea were initiated by Ukraine. However, the Turkish General Staff announced at the beginning of this year that it was necessary to form a joint naval force. The latter is expected to be made up of four to six coast guard vessels, one from every participating country. The commander will be appointed for a year on the same principle and on a rotating basis. The joint naval force will hold exercises twice a year to practice rescue and ecological missions. The Black Sea Force’s apparent peaceful purpose will by no means place any restrictions on the military freedom of the region’s two principal antagonists, Russia and Turkey.

According to the Ukrainian naval representative, the idea of a multinational tactical naval force meant for emergency situations — primarily in case of shipwreck — is actually nothing new. It was first made public about two years ago and Mykhailo Yezhel, Ukraine’s Navy Commander and Deputy Defense Minister, said it was attractive. Ukraine’s military is interested in setting up the Black Sea Force as quickly as possible, among other things, for pragmatic reasons. At present, the Ukrainian naval rescue service is just being formed and funds are needed, of course. A joint project involving Black Sea countries looks more economic. Simultaneously Ukraine will have to make an appropriate political decision for its warships to be part of the Black Sea Force. Ukraine already has a joint peacekeeping battalion with Poland. And there is a Ukrainian- Romanian rescue battalion. The initiatives are supported by the President, but current legislation does not stipulate military formations jointly with other countries.