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Brussels – The mayor of Cluj, former Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc, stated on Wednesday in Brussels that the future of Europe is closely linked to the security of the Black Sea region, which must not become a “Russian lake.” At a debate on the European Union’s Strategy for the Black Sea within the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), he emphasized that the Black Sea has major strategic importance, being the meeting point of three security regions: Russia to the north, Turkey and the Mediterranean to the south, Europe and the Balkans to the west.
In his intervention, Boc highlighted that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has destabilized the region, and the European Union must invest in critical infrastructure – ports, highways, railways, airports – to ensure military and civilian mobility and to be prepared to defend every inch of its territory. He also mentioned that there can be no effective strategy for the Black Sea without including the Danube, as both form a unified strategic ecosystem.
He called for close cooperation with the countries in the region – Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan – considering them not just neighbors, but essential partners in the security and future of Europe. In conclusion, Boc stated that the Black Sea must become a symbol of peace, freedom, and opportunities, not of fear and aggression.
Emil Boc, a member of Romania’s delegation to the CoR on behalf of the Association of Municipalities of Romania, participated on October 1 in the 5th meeting of the Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX) of the CoR, which had on its agenda discussions regarding the European internal security strategy, the EU Strategy for the Black Sea, and the Union’s “Global Gateway” Strategy.
The European Commission’s communication to Parliament and Council on May 28, 2025, regarding the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea defines the Black Sea as an area of significant geostrategic importance, linking Europe to Asia, with untapped potential for economic development, strategic transit routes, especially for access to energy resources and critical raw materials. Its critical importance is highlighted by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which has shaken the foundations of the rules-based international order and exposed vulnerabilities in European and regional security. In this context, security in the Black Sea is seen, in the text of the Strategy, as a central element in ensuring a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace. (2.10.2025)