Cooperation Between Ukraine and Türkiye, As Countries of the Black Sea Region, Is the Most Effective Tool for Maintaining Regional Security

Based on the materials of the roundtable “Military-Political Alliance of Türkiye and Ukraine as a Factor of Security and Stability in the Baltic-Black Sea-Caspian Region”

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the Baltic-Caspian and Black Sea Regions, which is understood by almost everyone who is truly interested in this. Especially today, when the Ukrainian people are heroically fighting against the attackers for the freedom of the Ukrainian state, demonstrating bravery over the past ten years and defending global democracy. I hope that more and more people will realize that this is not just Ukraine’s struggle, that it is now about security in the region. That is why it is worth discussing certain factors that are affecting and will continue to affect the security situation around the world.

President of the United States George W. Bush once said that he was an optimist when he believed that in a few years the world would see a new global international order based on the rule of law. And we also believed that many nations should understand their shared responsibility for a peace based on the principles of justice. I was a young man when, like many of us here at the roundtable today, I watched the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, everyone has had the opportunity to participate in building the new world envisioned by Bush. Unfortunately, today we see that the Russian Federation, one of the world’s largest countries, is disregarding the principles that have been used to build a large number of democratic countries. It is no coincidence that today we are discussing the factors of stability and security cooperation in the Baltic-Black Sea Region, the role of the European Union and NATO in the struggle of the countries of the region for democracy.

In this context, I would like to point out that the Black Sea Region, to which we belong, has not been considered key to achieving a common victory for a long time. And the war unleashed by the Russians against Ukraine has led to instability and insecurity in this region, because it has cut off a large number of European countries, so to speak. And the European Union suddenly lost interest in what was happening there. In particular, I mean the dangerous situation that has arisen as a result of the events in Georgia, which also has a negative impact on stability. But, given the war against Ukraine, this region draws attention again, and issues related to it have become important for Europe. And as we can see, this dangerous region is a real threat to Europe today. Therefore, the European Union has already adopted and is developing a new strategy for the Black Sea and the Black Sea Region.

It can be considered a positive development that countries such as Ukraine, Georgia and other countries in the region, which are not part of the European Union yet, are seeking to actively cooperate with it. And we, the citizens of these countries, are extremely grateful for this cooperation, having felt great European support in recent years. And not only military support, which brings us tangibly closer to the European Union. The same applies to Ukraine. I hope that other countries, such as Georgia, will also be concerned about their future.

It is also very positive that countries like Germany and France have developed their own strategies for the Black Sea. I just hope that in the end, both strategies will not negate each other, will not compete but will have a common goal. What we want to reform is the strategy of the European Union, in particular, of Ukraine and Türkiye. As for Russia, I do not see it among the democratic players.

We are talking about joint activities to develop peace and democracy in authoritarian states, such as Russia. As Ursula von der Leyen said, it is really important that the European Union can provide as much assistance and support as possible and be more involved in the events in this region. In this context, I am sure that cooperation between Ukraine and Türkiye, as countries of the Black Sea Region, is one of the most effective tools to support the security of the region’s future. It is not only about the Black Sea Region, it will also cover the Baltic and Caspian Regions. It is important that they establish cooperation. I am convinced that Ukraine will win and everything will be fine.

Vitalie Marinuța,
Minister of Defense of the Republic of Moldova in 2009-2014