Bulgaria seeks EU, NATO help in Black Sea vessel attack probe

Bulgaria has requested technical assistance from the European Union and NATO to continue the investigation into the attack on commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, the government information service said.

In letters addressed to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Prime Minister Rumen Radev stressed the need for allied support and called for the matter to be treated as a priority given its urgent nature, CE Report quotes BTA.

Bulgaria strongly condemns military attacks against commercial shipping and civilian crew and is firmly determined to identify those responsible, according to Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s statement. The prime minister highlighted the actions taken by the Bulgarian state both during the rescue operation and as part of the investigation into the attack. Assistance has also been requested from the European Maritime Safety Agency after efforts by Bulgaria failed to locate drone debris that could help establish their origin.

Prime Minister Radev said that Bulgaria would take all necessary steps to establish responsibility for the attack beyond any doubt. In this regard, the country is also in contact with NATO regarding allied support for the investigation.

The European Union also has an important role to play by helping secure technical assistance from the European Commission and its agencies. The aim is to examine all available physical evidence, satellite data, and other information collected in connection with the attack.

In his letter, Prime Minister Rumen Radev also stressed that, once responsibility for the attack has been established, Bulgaria is determined to take all available diplomatic and legal measures against the perpetrator in accordance with international law.

At a meeting of the Council of Ministers on October 6, Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that at around 3 am, two commercial vessels in the Black Sea’s exclusive economic zone had been attacked using maritime and aerial drones. Both ships sustained damage, Radev said at the time.

Photo: MFA Bulgaria