Germany to support Romania and Bulgaria in countering Russian threats
Photo: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Germany will support Romania and Bulgaria in countering threats from Russia, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said.
(Romania and Bulgaria – ed.) are "partners that are crucial for Europe's security and stability. South-eastern Europe is a strategic centrepiece of our continent," said the German official.
He also added that the threat to the EU's external borders and NATO's southeastern flank is visible in the Black Sea against the backdrop of Russia's war against Ukraine.
"This is also where it will be decided whether Europe remains capable of acting - in terms of security, solidarity and the further development of our union," Wadeful said.
Wadeful's visit to Romania and Bulgaria
The German Foreign Minister embarked on a two-day visit to Bulgaria and Romania. He met, among others, with his counterpart, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev.
The latter expressed concern that "our concern is that the Black Sea is increasingly present on the agenda of NATO and the European Union" and that his country is very interested in maintaining stability in the region.
After meeting with Georgiev, Wadephul was scheduled to fly to Bucharest for talks with Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu on October 14.
The German Minister also called the recent intrusion of Russian drones into Romanian airspace unacceptable.
He described it as attack on the sovereignty of a NATO partner.
"We are clearly determined to protect and defend Europe together with Romania," Wadepful emphasized.
The Foreign Ministry in Berlin said that Johann Wadephul's talks in Bucharest would focus on economic cooperation, efforts to boost European competitiveness, and the EU enlargement program.
Drone incidents in Romania and Bulgaria
At the end of September, fragments of a drone were found in Romania. Parts of the aircraft were found in Tulcea County.
According to statistics, at least 20 cases of Russian drones crashing have been recorded in Romania.
And in the middle of last month, a combat drone was found on a beach in the Bulgarian city of Burgas — it had been washed up from the sea.
The Institute for the Study of War has predicted that Russia may attack NATO countries much earlier than Europe expects.
