Excellencies, colleagues, friends – it is a great honor to address you today, and I have to start with an apology: Of course, I would have preferred to be with you in Bucharest today as planned, but unfortunately, I could not make it.

I very much regret this because the Black Sea & Balkans Security Forum has become a key event to discuss issues of highest importance to the security of the regions – and this means the security of Europe.

Let me make five remarks:

1.

And this is already my first remark: While Germany is not a littoral state to the Black Sea, of course we consider the Black Sea region to be one of the most strategically important areas for the future security, stability and prosperity of Europe.

We do know very well: What happens in the Black Sea does not stay there—it directly affects our continent and the European Union as a whole. That is why we, the German Government are and will stay engaged.

Of course, the same goes the other way round: What happens in the Baltic Sea, where Germany is a littoral state, does also not stay there. All Europeans have to be engaged, here and there. Nobody knows this better than our Ukrainian friends who closely analyze what Russia is doing in both regions, simultaneously, North and South, to draw the appropriate lessons from it.

2.

My second remark: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is not limited to the borders of Ukraine. Not just because of RUS threatening all Europe, all NATO – like we heard it again this Saturday from the Red Square. No, this is already very concrete: Russian drones violate Moldovan, Romanian, Polish and other airspaces on a regular basis.

In the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and beyond, the Russian shadow fleet poses a threat to our common European security and maritime safety. Hence, we are, as we speak, working in the EU on increasing the sanction pressure on the shadow fleet to further limit Russian oil revenues - by following a whole of route approach, sanctioning not only the vessels themselves, but the owners, managers, and other entities allowing the shadow fleet to function

There is only one strategy to stop this war: Maximum support for UKR to survive and maximum pressure on Russia. We should not and will not lose patience as the security of Europe is at stake.

3.

This leads me to my third remark: In the spirit of European unity, we published a year ago the first comprehensive European Union Black Sea Strategy. By this we have created a framework that combines security, connectivity, economic resilience, energy diversification, infrastructure development and biodiversity. Now it is about implementation!

Bulgaria and Romania are already playing a leading role in implementation. Through consistent diplomatic engagement and practical initiatives Romania since years has been the driving force within the EU in bringing the Black Sea back to where it belongs: to the center of European strategic thinking.

As an important NATO ally, close EU partner and a direct neighbor of the war zone, Romania has demonstrated remarkable resilience. And I want to make this point as a German: Romania´s investments in regional connectivity, port infrastructure, energy security, and military preparedness are not only national and regional contributions—they are to the benefit of us all in Europe.

Bulgaria likewise through its leadership in the Black Sea and Economic Cooperation (BSEC) has actively contributed to increased regional coordination und understanding.

And: I am convinced that without engagement and cooperation with Türkiye none of our ambitious EU plans in the region will be realized. On the contrary: Türkiye will continue playing a very central role in the Black Sea and we look forward to an important NATO summit in Türkiye in a few months - in very challenging times!

4.

Fourthly, back to Ukraine: At the center of all our efforts in the Black Sea stands supporting Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russian aggression.

Our support for Ukraine must remain unwavering—politically, economically, financially, militarily, and strategically. Supporting Ukraine also means preserving its access to the world economy and sustaining global food security.

The other war at our boarders, in the Middle East and Golf, shows how important it is that we get used to combine the needs in all areas of security, including energy security, food security, digital security and so on.

This is why the EU Solidarity Lanes have been such an important success story. They have shown what European coordination can achieve, even under highest pressure.

In this and elsewhere the Republic of Moldova has proven to be a partner we can rely on. While being affected by the Russian aggression against Ukraine itself, especially in the energy sector, Moldova has not wavered once.

Given its contributions, Moldova clearly deserves that we also keep up our support for the European path that Moldova has so decisively chosen.

5.

Finally, a word on EU-accession: The recent elections in Hungary have created new momentum for progress in the EU accession process of Ukraine and Moldova - which has to remain merit-based. I am hopeful that we will see the opening of all negotiation clusters with Ukraine and Moldova very soon.

Here I would like to add a general remark: we have to refocus in the EU on the accession process: be it Ukraine, the Western Balkans or other parts of our continent: In the end this is and will be essential to the credibility of the EU and to the credibility of Europe

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends – Let me conclude:

A stronger, more unified Black Sea means a stronger Europe! And building a stronger Europe means standing firmly with those who defend freedom, sovereignty, and peace.

Thank you!