Ursula von der Leyen: “Today I am beginning a visit to the Black Sea region, where security threats are intensifying / Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and maintained”

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is meeting on Monday, November 9, in Bucharest, with President Nicușor Dan and Prime Minister Luca Niculescu, as part of a visit dedicated to security in the Black Sea region. After her meetings in Romania, the European official will leave for Bulgaria.

The visit comes amid an intensification of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and the loss of human lives. Ursula von der Leyen stated that freedom of navigation in the region must be restored and maintained, and that Europe must strengthen its response to security threats.

Before the trip, the President of the European Commission spoke by telephone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two discussed the situation on the front, including developments in the Black Sea, as well as efforts toward a ceasefire that would protect food and energy infrastructure.

Von der Leyen also mentioned the peace talks scheduled in Abu Dhabi this week, where the European Union will participate alongside its partners. At the end of the week, she is due to meet with Zelenskyy again, in Dublin, to discuss the next steps toward peace.