Romania: how to secure the Black Sea?
In the Black Sea, mutual attacks by Russia and Ukraine on civilian cargo ships have intensified in recent days. After a tanker headed for the Ukrainian Danube port of Reni and carrying 3,800 tonnes of liquefied gas was set alight when it was attacked just 20 nautical miles off the Romanian coast, the country's media are discussing how to ensure safety in its own waters – especially in view of Romania's plans to extract natural gas there.
We are Nato
Romania must be more proactive in defending its interests and security, demands Cotidianul:
“The bad news is that the Black Sea is literally boiling. It's a question of how Russia is going to respond to Ukraine's attacks on its logistical supply chains in Crimea. And whether and how Russia will continue to attack the Danube ports of Reni and Ismail in its bid to block Ukrainian grain transport to the Black Sea. ... Romania must start being proactive rather than reactive in defending its interests in the Black Sea. And we should not forget that Nato is not coming to defend us – because on the Black Sea, it's us who are Nato.”
Gas extraction ramping up pressure
Journalist Emilian Isaila writes on Spotmedia:
“Operations are currently underway in Romania's exclusive economic zone to build the Neptun Deep platform in order to extract natural gas from the Black Sea. This is a strategic investment not only for Romania but also for the entire region, as part of the effort to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources. Against this backdrop, there is considerable pressure on the armed forces and national security agencies to ensure the protection of Romania's interests and territorial waters, especially since the confrontations in the Black Sea between Russia and Ukraine have become extremely intense.”