The Black Sea Region: New Conditions, Enduring Interests

There is a lot of work to done to clarify the position of the Black Sea Region in Europe. The countries of the region have an important role to play in solving issues in the neighbourhood. As one expert pointed out, countries such as
Romania have a better understanding of the political life of Great Britain and France than of some of their neighbours in the Black Sea region. The countries of the region have to take the initiative in dealing with the security and economic challenges in their neighbourhood.

They must also be aware of their own interests and be guided by them. The European Union and NATO have both exported security to the region, but they are not immune to the fact that the tectonic plates of world politics are still shifting. It is unclear to what extent Turkey and Russia can be integrated into Europe. Will Ukraine remain a ‘frontier state’, or be integrated into the European Union and NATO? These questions are being asked by countries around the Black Sea and beyond. We have to search for the
solution in the wider region. Countries’ future orientation will have profound implications for security, stability and economic prosperity.

It is important for Europe to act with resolve. It cannot simply outsource important security problems to the United States. Nowhere are the challenges greater than in the sphere of energy security. This will be one of the biggest
issues in the coming years.