Oana Țoiu Calls for a Ceasefire in the Black Sea and the Protection of Grain Transport Corridors

Romania supports a ceasefire in the Black Sea region, interim Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said on Monday ahead of the meeting of the Council of the European Union on Foreign Affairs, held in Luxembourg. The minister called for the protection of ships, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilians amid attacks on vessels in the Black Sea’s exclusive economic zone.

Oana Țoiu said that two people had been killed in recent attacks, while Romanian rescue teams intervened to help the injured. Similar attacks have also been reported in Bulgaria’s maritime area.

The minister underscored the region’s importance for global food security. Nearly one-third of the world’s wheat trade originates in the Black Sea area, while approximately 55% of Ukrainian wheat is transported through infrastructure supported by Romania. Bucharest is discussing an increase in transit capacity and supports efforts to clear mines and protect critical infrastructure, alongside Bulgaria and Türkiye.

Țoiu warned that Russia must not be allowed to use food as a weapon and backed reducing energy dependence on Moscow by increasing European gas production and developing the Neptun Deep project.