JOINT REPORT TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on the implementation of the EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region
Date: 2026-07-03
Institutions: Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, European Commission
Subjects: Black Sea, EU strategy, Eastern Partnership, competitiveness, cooperation policy, economic growth, energy policy, environmental protection, maritime safety, regional security

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 3.7.2026  JOIN(2026) 15 final  JOINT REPORT TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on the implementation of the EU strategic approach to the Black Sea region  
 
 
1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Joint Communication on the European Union’s strategic approach to the Black 
Sea region (1) (also referred to as the ‘Black Sea Strategy’ or the ‘Strategy’) calls on 
the European Commission and the High Representative / Vice-President (HR/VP) to 
deliver  a  progress  report  one  year  into  its  implementation.  Accordingly,  this  joint 
report outlines the progress made since its adoption in May 2025.  

In June 2025, the European Council welcomed the Joint Communication (2), which 
reaffirms the Black Sea’s geostrategic role and sets out a vision for a more secure, 
interconnected, prosperous, and resilient region – anchored in shared values, the rule 
of law, sustainability, and effective cooperation. The EU is committed to advancing 
this  vision  jointly  with  Armenia,  Azerbaijan,  Georgia,  the  Republic  of  Moldova 
(‘Moldova’), Türkiye, and Ukraine, through mutually reinforcing cooperation.  

The  first  year  of  implementation  of  the  Strategy  saw  intensified  Russian  hybrid 
attacks,  drone  and  missile  warfare  against  military  and  civilian  and  critical 
infrastructure,  including  ports,  especially  in  the  Odesa  region.  Russia’s  war  of 
aggression against Ukraine, lasting for more than four years since 2022, continues to 
severely  undermine  security  and  stability  in  the  Black  Sea  region,  dramatically 
expanding negative consequences for the region and beyond. 

Despite  the  war’s  impact,  most  countries  in  the  region  maintain  macroeconomic 
stability and are implementing structural reforms (3). Some of them are on the path to 
EU  accession,  and  their  gradual  integration  into  EU  initiatives  has  reinforced 
cooperation, cohesion and coordinated action with the EU. The ongoing peace process 
between Armenia and Azerbaijan offers a historic opportunity to consolidate cross-
border cooperation and connectivity in the South Caucasus, and to facilitate linkages 
with  Central  Asia.  Complementarities  with  the  EU  Strategy  for  Central  Asia, 
especially for cross-regional connectivity efforts, have been pursued.  

In line with the objectives of the Black Sea Strategy, the current report highlights the 
EU’s increased strategic engagement and  coordinated actions to: (i) enhance security, 
stability and resilience across the Black Sea region (Pillar 1); (ii) strengthen economic 
growth  and  transport,  energy,  and  digital  connectivity  (Pillar 2);  and  (iii) ensure 
environmental and climate resilience and preparedness, and civil protection (Pillar 3). 
Central to these efforts has been the support provided by the EU to Ukraine.  

2.  ADVANCING EU ENGAGEMENT AND COOPERATION IN THE BLACK SEA REGION  

The EU engagement in the Black Sea region and with its partner countries reflects 
new  levels  of  ambition  and  significant  steps  taken  forward  to  deepen  political, 
economic and sectoral cooperation with partner countries. The ministerial meeting on 
cross-regional security and connectivity in Luxembourg on 20 October 2025 marked 
a major step in fostering closer mutually beneficial partnerships and taking forward 
cross-regional  cooperation  on  security  and  connectivity.  The  meeting  brought 

(1)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025JC0135  

(2)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/cjtb3oep/20250626-european-council-conclusions-en.pdf 

(3)  https://www.ebrd.com/home/news-and-events/publications/economics/transition-reports/transition-

report-2025-26.html  

 
 
 
together  EU  Member  States  and  partner  countries  from  the  Black  Sea  region,  the 
South  Caucasus  and  Central  Asia (4).  Discussions  deepened  political  dialogue  on 
security, stability, and resilience in the region. The meeting also advanced the cross-
regional Connectivity Agenda, aimed at strengthening trade and economic growth by 
better  connecting  the  EU,  Ukraine  and  Moldova,  to  the  Southern  Caucasus  and 
Central Asia via Black Sea and Türkiye. Participants reaffirmed their determination 
to  step  up  cooperation  in  areas  of  shared  interest,  enhance  resilience  and  promote 
more connected, secure and prosperous regions.  

Ukraine  has  shown  strong  commitment  to  reform  so  as  to  meet  EU  accession 
requirements (5)  and  to  prepare  for  future  reconstruction,  despite  Russian  attacks 
against  cities  and  civilian  and  energy  infrastructure  continuing  to  escalate.  The 
implementation  of  the  reforms  agreed  in  the  Ukraine  Plan  has  been  strong,  with 
77 reform and investment steps completed so far across key sectors, such as rule of 
law, anti-corruption, energy markets, public administration, and governance of state-
owned enterprises. Ukraine has also seized the opportunities for early integration into 
the EU market  made available through the DCFTA and other agreements  with  the 
EU: Ukraine joined the EU roam-like-at-home area, adopted the legislation to start 
the electricity market coupling and updated its partnership with EU on critical raw 
materials. 

Moldova has made significant progress on its ambitious reform agenda (6) and on the 
path  to  EU  membership.  Despite  massive  Russian  interference,  the  Parliamentary 
elections  of  September  2025  reaffirmed  the  country’s  accession  path.  Besides 
facilitating deeper EU integration, the EU’s cooperation with Moldova has included 
support  on  energy,  notably  reducing  dependency  on  Russian  supplies  and  further 
integrating  with  EU  energy  systems,  as  well  as  on  cybersecurity  and  increasing 
resilience to electoral interference. 

On 15 June 2026, negotiations on Cluster 1: fundamentals were formally opened for 
Ukraine  and  Moldova,  marking  an  important  step  forward  on  the  countries’  EU 
accession paths.  

The  recent  positive  regional  developments,  notably  the  historic  momentum  in  the 
Armenia-Azerbaijan  peace  process,  opens  avenues  for 
region’s  new 
transformative path. Inter-connected strategic industries, markets, transport corridors, 
digital  networks,  and  energy  interconnections  help  building  trust  and  binding 
neighbours together. This is showcased with progress in the normalisation of relations 
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, including through the initialling of a bilateral peace 
treaty,  the  2025  Washington  Political  Declaration  and  the  TRIPP (7)  connectivity 
project. Likewise, Armenia and Türkiye have made progress in the normalisation of 
their relations, including through efforts to facilitate bilateral trade and discussions to 
re-establish railway links. 

the 

(4)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/10/20/co-chairs-conclusions-on-

strengthening-cross-regional-security-and-connectivity/  

(5)  https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/ukraine-report-2025_en  

(6)  https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/moldova-report-2025_en  

(7)  The  Trump  Route  for  International  Peace  and  Prosperity  (TRIPP)  is  a  U.S.-brokered  transit  corridor 

through Armenia's Syunik region to connect Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan.  

2 

 
 
 
The EU’s relations with Armenia reconfirmed a strong positive momentum, reflected 
in  the  Strategic  Agenda  adopted  in  December  2025 (8),  which  raised  the  level  of 
ambition with short- and medium-term priorities across all sectors of cooperation. The 
first  EU-Armenia  Summit (9),  held  in  Yerevan  on  4-5  May  2026,  represented  a 
significant milestone in the EU-Armenia relations. With the announcement of the EU-
Armenia  connectivity  partnership (10),  bilateral  engagement  was  strengthened  on 
energy,  transport  and  digital,  which  will  be  central  to  future  engagement.  The 
EU-Armenia visa liberalisation dialogue is progressing well as Armenia initiated the 
reforms necessary to move towards a visa-free regime with the EU. Recent elections 
have  reaffirmed  the  country’s  commitment  to  the  path  of  peace,  democratic 
governance, and regional normalisation. In parallel, in response to Russia’s economic 
coercive measures, the EU has mobilised a comprehensive package of support aimed 
at strengthening Armenia’s resilience and mitigating the economic impact of external 
pressure. 

The  strategic  importance  of  the  EU-Azerbaijan  partnership  was  reaffirmed  at  the 
highest level in March 2026 (11), with a commitment to further deepening  political 
dialogue  and  practical  cooperation,  including  in  the  areas  of  energy,  transport  and 
digital. Building on this positive momentum, the EU and Azerbaijan are advancing 
discussions on new Partnership Priorities and have recently resumed negotiations on 
a comprehensive bilateral agreement, reflecting a shared interest in modernising the 
bilateral relationship. Azerbaijan continues to play a key role in regional connectivity 
and remains a reliable partner in the diversification of Europe’s energy supplies and 
in the expansion of the transport potential of regional links. The cooperation between 
the EU and Azerbaijan reflects the shared interest of both sides and contributes to the 
promotion of peace, stability, connectivity and sustainable development in the wider 
Black Sea, South Caucasus and Central Asia regions.  

Georgia’s  geographical  position  makes  it  a  natural  transit  corridor  linking  Central 
Asia to Europe. The EU’s cooperation with Georgia (12) has continued to be strongly 
impacted by the country’s democratic backsliding, which has resulted in a  de facto 
halt of the country’s EU accession process and the suspension by the EU in March 
2026  of  visa-free  travel  for  holders  of  Georgian  diplomatic,  service  and  official 
passports. Georgia’s role within this Strategy will largely depend on the authorities’ 
willingness to take tangible steps towards improving the situation.  

The EU and Türkiye, a key partner, NATO ally, and an EU candidate country, have 
exchanged  views  on  the  Black  Sea  Strategy  and  discussed  its  implementation  on 
multiple  occasions  over  the  past  year,  including  during  regular  consultations  on 
Foreign and Security Policy. The EU Black Sea Strategy was most recently discussed 
during  the  2026  EU-Türkiye  Common  Security  and  Defence  Policy  (CSDP) 

(8)  https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/european-union-and-armenia-adopt-new-strategic-agenda-

deepen-partnership-2025-12-02_en  

(9)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/05/05/joint-declaration-following-the-

first-armenia-eu-summit/  

(10)  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/da/ip_26_988  

(11)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/03/11/joint-press-statement-by-

president-of-the-european-council-antonio-costa-and-president-of-the-republic-of-azerbaijan-ilham-
aliyev/ 

(12)  https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/georgia-report-2025_en  

3 

 
 
 
consultations.  Bilateral  and  regional  cooperation  on  connectivity,  where  Türkiye 
plays  a  central  role,  is  of  mutual  interest  and  a  pillar  in  EU-Türkiye  relations.  In 
particular,  both  sides  agreed  to  strengthen  coordination  in  shaping  the  regional 
connectivity agenda  across the energy, transport, digitalisation and trade sectors to 
contribute  to  stability,  resilience  and  sustainable  growth  across  Black  Sea,  South 
Caucasus and Central Asia. Türkiye has initiated work on a Connectivity Investment 
Plan with a view to developing a pipeline of projects. In parallel, Türkiye has taken 
positive steps towards the normalisation of relations with Armenia, including lifting 
restrictions in preparation for direct bilateral trade and the launch of preparatory work 
to rehabilitate the Kars-Gyumri railway line. The normalisation process can play an 
important role in promoting security, stability and resilience in the region, while also 
unlocking economic and connectivity opportunities. 

The relevance of the Strategy was underlined in several fora, including the Euronest 
Parliamentary  Assembly  in  Yerevan  (October  2025)  and  the  Eastern  Partnership 
Senior  Officials’  Meeting  in  Brussels  (March  2026).  In  its  opinion  adopted  in 
December  2025 (13),  the  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee  called  for 
sufficient resources to be used to swiftly and decisively implement the Strategy. The 
Committee  of  the  Regions  followed  in  March  2026  with  an  opinion  calling  for 
structured and well-resourced implementation (14). 

3.  PILLAR 1: SECURITY, STABILITY, AND RESILIENCE 

Over the past year, the security landscape of the Black Sea region  continued to be 
impacted by Russia’s multiple actions to destabilise it. Russia has systematically used 
drone  and  missile  strikes  against  Ukrainian  ports  and  their  access  infrastructure. 
Particularly in Odesa, Chornomorsk, and along the Danube Corridor, the strikes have 
disrupted grain  exports and escalated risks for commercial shipping.  These attacks 
also impacted neighbouring coastal states like Romania who faced multiple breaches 
of its airspace and debris falling on its territory. In late May 2026, a Russian drone 
incursion struck a densely populated area in Galați, Romania's largest river and sea 
port  on  the  Danube  River  and  its  second-largest  port,  injuring  civilians.  Maritime 
security in the Black Sea continues to suffer as a result of Russia’s hybrid tactics – 
including  electronic  warfare  –  as  well  as  from  interference  of  navigation  systems 
(spoofing  and  jamming).  These  continuous  attacks  increase  the  costs  of  trade  and 
shipping,  endanger  seafarers  and  cause  major  environmental  damages.  Moreover, 
Russia’s shadow fleet has continued its  efforts to evade sanctions, using deceptive 
practices like sailing under a false flag. This poses additional risks of sabotage and 
environmental  degradation,  further  undermining  the  protection  of  critical  maritime 
infrastructure, including underwater, and energy corridors.  

In response, the EU remains committed to proactively supporting regional stability 
and security. The EU adopted further sanctions packages targeting Russia’s military-
industrial supply chains, energy revenues, and vessels linked to illicit activities. These 
measures,  combined  with  enhanced  support  for  Ukraine’s  defence  and  resilience, 

(13)  https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/news-media/news/eesc-calls-ambitious-and-pragmatic-implementation-

eus-strategic-approach-black-sea-region-0  

(14)  https://cor.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions/cdr-2757-2025  

4 

 
 
 
notably  through  the  EUR 90 billion  Ukraine  Support  Loan  for  2026-27 (15), 
contribute to the operationalisation of the Strategy’s security pillar.  

The EU raised security challenges in the Black Sea and responses brought by the EU 
strategy during the 3rd Black Sea Security Conference under the International Crimea 
Platform  hosted  in Chișinău,  on  23 April  2026 (16)  and  the  3rd  Odesa  Black  Sea 
Security Forum held on 29-31 May 2026 (17). Concrete exchanges of experience were 
organised  to  highlight  the  coherent  approach  among  European  sea  basins  in 
addressing  security  challenges  faced  in  the  Baltic  and  the  Black  Seas  –  including 
undermined  safety  of  navigation,  challenged  maritime  security,  hybrid  tactics, 
including  electronic  warfare,  navigation  systems  interference  (spoofing  and 
jamming).  More  peer  exchanges  at  expert  level  will  enable  experience  sharing 
between the Baltic and Black Sea basins, with a focus on civilian preparedness and 
resilience (18) and on addressing Russian shadow fleet and hybrid activities. 

FLAGSHIP 1: Black Sea maritime security 

Since the adoption of the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea in May 2025, Bulgaria 
and Romania have jointly developed a concept for the establishment of a regional Black 
Sea  Maritime  Security  Hub  (also  referred  to  as  the  ‘Hub’).  The  Hub  is  designed  as  a 
regionally  owned,  civilian-led,  inter-institutional  collaborative  network  structure,  co-
initiated and coordinated jointly by the two countries and supported by the EU. It aims to 
enhance maritime situational awareness and regional resilience, to facilitate cooperation 
and capacity building  in maritime security,  to  protect  critical  infrastructure and counter 
complex  hybrid  threats,  enhance  environmental  safety  and  develop  common  threat 
assessment in support of civilian crisis scenarios. The Hub will be leveraging and analysing 
multiple data sources to support timely and informed decision-making by the littoral EU 
Member States and the EU, while seeking further engagement of other EU Member States 
and participation of key regional partners Türkiye, Ukraine and Moldova initially. Specific 
attention  will  be  paid  to  integrating  surveillance  and  monitoring  capabilities  of  the 
participating  states,  and  ensuring  interoperability  and  links  with  EU  networks,  like  the 
Common  Information  Sharing  Environment  (CISE)  implemented  by  the  European 
Maritime  Safety  Agency  (EMSA).  The  Hub  will  also  contribute  to  protecting  critical 
maritime  infrastructure  in  the  Black  Sea  region  in  a  consistent,  coordinated  way  and 
provide better visibility and predictability in a changing security context. As a subsequent 
step,  close  liaison  and  coordination  will  be  sought  with  other  regional  platforms,  mine 
countermeasure groups,  and structures operated by Black Sea partners, for example the 
national  Joint  Maritime  Security  Centre  (JMSC)  in  Odesa  (Ukraine).  The  Mine 
Countermeasures Black Sea initiative set up by Türkiye-Romania-Bulgaria is the primary 
safeguard against drifting mines, playing thus a crucial role in maintaining open and secure 
sea lines of communication, including for flows of grain transport to and from Ukraine. 

15)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/04/23/council-finalises-90-billion-

support-loan-to-ukraine/  

16)  https://crimea-platform.org/en/news/third-black-sea-security-conference-of-the-international-crimea-

platform-begins-in-moldova/; 
black-sea-security-conference-under-auspices 

https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/republic-moldova-host-third-edition-

17)  https://odesaforum.org/ 

(18)  A side-event during the Macro-Regional and Sea Basins Strategies Days (Brussels, 8-9 July 2026) 

5 

 
 
 
 
3.1.  Cooperation on demining and maritime safety, defence and security 

In support of maritime safety and security in the Black Sea, the EU Advisory Mission 
(EUAM)  in  Ukraine  has  assisted  in  establishing  the  national  Joint  Maritime 
Security  Centre  (JMSC)  in  Odesa.  The  JMSC  aims  to  improve  inter-agency 
coordination  and  strengthen  Ukraine’s  operational  capacities  on  maritime  security 
operations in the Black Sea. The first ministerial level Steering Committee meeting 
on the establishment of the JMSC took place on 26 February 2026, followed by the 
second meeting on 6 May 2026, during which the Steering Committee endorsed the 
Concept of Operations. Hosted by EUAM, the meetings brought together Ukrainian 
ministries and agencies responsible for maritime security, the International Maritime 
Capability Coalition and the NATO Representation to Ukraine. The JMSC will allow 
Ukraine to integrate into European cooperative frameworks. 

In February 2026, the EU adopted the Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone 
Security (19),  which  includes  pilot  actions  to  improve  maritime  domain  awareness 
and  deployment  of  undersea  sensing  capacities  to  better  protect  critical  maritime 
infrastructure in the Black and Baltic Seas.  

Following the approval in February 2026 by the Council of the financial assistance to 
Romania  and  Bulgaria  under  SAFE  and  the  signature  of  the  loan  agreements, 
approximately EUR 20 billion will be made available to these Member States to close 
critical capability gaps, thus supporting the security in the Black Sea region. 

The  Ukraine  Support  Loan  with  an  allocation  of  EUR 90 billion,  out  of  which 
EUR 60 billion planned to cover the country’s most urgent defence industrial capacity 
needs in 2026 and 2027, is an important pillar for the security in the Black Sea. In 
March 2026, EU approved an allocation of approximately EUR 6 billion for drones 
from Ukraine, for Ukraine. 

As  part  of  the  EU  support  to  Ukraine  in  the  area  of  protection  of  critical 
infrastructure,  a  workshop  on  Protective  Security  for  critical infrastructure was 
organised in February 2026. With the support of TAIEX, Ukraine has been working 
on transposing the Directive on the resilience of critical entities. A call for proposals 
under  the  Internal  Security  Fund  on  resilience  of  critical  infrastructure  with 
15 million EUR budget was opened to Ukrainian participants.  

Following the adoption of the Action Plan on Cable Security (20) in February 2025 
and the publication of the’Report on Security and Resilience of EU Submarine Cable 
Infrastructures’, an EU-wide mapping and coordinated risk assessment of submarine 
cable  infrastructures (21)  has  been  agreed  in  October  2025  by  the  informal  Expert 
Group on Secure and Resilient Submarine Cable Infrastructures. The report states the 
importance  of  developing  a  coordinated  approach  with  Türkiye  in  fostering  and 
preserving security, stability and connectivity in the Black Sea region.  

(19)  https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/action-plan-drone-and-counter-drone-security 

(20)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025JC0009 

(21)  https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/report-security-and-resilience-eu-submarine-cable-

infrastructures  

6 

 
 
 
In  February  2026,  the  EU  published  the  Cable  Security  Toolbox (22),  which 
recommends mitigation measures to address risk scenarios identified in the  above-
mentioned report and proposes the Black Sea as a priority area for Cable Projects of 
European Interest (CPEIs). The European Commission has issued an initial call of 
EUR 10 million to fund regional cable hubs benefitting all sea basins around the EU, 
including  the  Black  Sea.  CPEI  areas  will  be  prioritised  in  upcoming  Connecting 
Europe Facility (CEF) Digital calls (23) for proposals.  

Under the 2026 European Defence Fund, the EU intends to support semi-autonomous 
maritime systems  as  well  as layered critical  seabed infrastructure protection. Once 
available,  the  capabilities  developed  could  be  leveraged  in  support  to  regional 
security.  

To limit the threats and risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet, including in the 
Black Sea, the EU has imposed sanctions listing 632 vessels and over 60 enablers (24) 
so far. The EU continues outreach to other countries to de-register such vessels and 
to raise awareness on the environmental risks and costs associated with any spillovers. 
In the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the EU is also active to advance 
the work on regulatory frameworks, tackling substandard shipping and introducing 
mandatory ship reporting and civil liability certificates.  

The  EU  has  been  strengthening  Europe’s  capacity  for  maritime  demining, 
environmental risk mitigation and protection of critical maritime infrastructure, while 
supporting future regional cooperation in post-conflict marine remediation. The 2025 
European Ocean Pact comprises a flagship action for a comprehensive Unexploded 
ordnance  (UXO)  removal  strategy,  starting  in  the  Baltic  and  North  Seas  and 
expanding to the Black Sea, utilising advanced detection and disposal technologies. 
The Netherlands and Belgium have donated seven mine countermeasures vessels to 
Bulgaria in 2025 with the aim to strengthen maritime security in the Black Sea.  

The EU is scaling up technologies and methodologies for large-scale cleanup of 
UXO  dumped  at  sea. While  the  current  efforts  focus  on  the  Baltic Sea,  a  similar 
approach to large-scale UXO cleanup can be applied to the Black Sea, once security 
conditions permit. Through EU-funded initiatives, notably the European Parliament–
supported  CAMMera  project,  the  EU  is  developing  and  testing  innovative 
technologies  for  the  safe  detection  and  remediation  of  submerged  munitions.  At  a 
January  2026  workshop  in  Sofia,  experts  from  EU  Member  States,  regional 
organisations  and  research 
transfer  of 
institutions  evaluated 
technological solutions and operational lessons learned to the Black Sea and other sea 
basins. The EU continued to support Ukraine in demining efforts with the handover 
in February 2026 of the fifth batch of EU-trained mine detection dogs to the Ukrainian 
authorities. 

the  potential 

(22)  https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/submarine-cable-security-toolbox-and-cable-projects-

european-interest  

(23)  https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/cef-digital  

(24)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/04/23/russia-s-war-of-aggression-

against-ukraine-20th-round-of-stern-eu-sanctions-hits-energy-military-industrial-complex-trade-and-
financial-services-including-crypto/  

7 

 
 
 
3.2.  Enhancing military mobility and dual use infrastructure 

In  November  2025,  the  Commission  and  the  High  Representative  presented  the 
Military Mobility Package (25), consisting of a Joint Communication and Regulation 
proposal aimed at ensuring the seamless movement of troops, equipment, and military 
assets across the EU. Together with Member States and supported by the EU Military 
Staff, the Commission identified 500 ‘hotspot’ projects for urgent investment to bring 
the four priority military mobility corridors (26) in line with military requirements and 
make the network more resilient. These projects include reinforcing bridges, widening 
tunnels, and increasing capacity at ports and airports. The Commission coordinates 
with Member States to ensure investments are implemented swiftly and coherently 
along the corridors. This is also coherent with an emerging EU work strand to support 
dual use industries in Ukraine. 

Four of the nine TEN-T European Transport Corridors already extend into Ukraine 
and  one  into  Moldova,  with  a  first  set  of  important  investments  in  dual-use 
infrastructure  ongoing.  In  parallel,  preparatory  works  are  ongoing  to  deploy 
European  nominal  standard  track  gauge  on  the  European  Transport  Corridors 
connecting Moldova and Ukraine to EU Member States. 

3.3.  Countering hybrid threats 

The security landscape of the Black Sea region is also defined by an unprecedented 
surge in hybrid threats. Russia has continued to deploy multifaceted tools designed to 
destabilise  democratic  processes,  erode  public  trust,  degrade  critical  infrastructure, 
probe vulnerabilities and test responses.  

The Union remains resolute in imposing costs on malign actors through the sanctions 
regime (27) against Russia’s destabilising activities. As of April 2026, the Council has 
expanded restrictive measures to include 69 individuals and 19 entities identified for 
their  roles  in  large-scale  information  manipulation.  Additionally,  the  EU  Cyber 
Sanctions  Regime (28)  is  rigorously  enforced,  with  restrictive  measures  currently 
applied to 19 individuals and 74 entities.  

The EU also adapted its response mechanisms to the evolving threat landscape and to 
counter  hostile  operations  meant  to  undermine  the  electoral  integrity  and 
democratic  processes.  In  Moldova,  the  EU  is  supporting  the  country’s  efforts  to 
protect  its democratic processes from Russia’s interference. The EU has  been  also 
actively  strengthening  its  support  to  democratic  and  institutional  resilience  in 
Armenia ahead of the June elections. A key achievement was the deployment of EU 
Hybrid Rapid Response Teams (HRRT) in both cases, providing short-term tailored 
technical  and  strategic  advisory  support 
to  national  authorities  regarding 
strengthening electoral integrity. 

Direct support for Black Sea partner countries via Common Security and Defence 
Policy  (CSDP)  missions  remains  a  primary  vehicle  for  resilience  building,  while 

(25)  https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/eu-defence-industry/military-mobility_en   

(26) https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/military-mobility_en  

(27)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions-against-russia-hybrid-threats/ 

(28) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions-against-cyber-attacks/  

8 

 
 
 
contributing to regional security. The EU Partnership Mission in Moldova supported 
Moldovan authorities’ efforts to ensure democratic integrity during the 2025 elections 
and  continues  to  focus  on  long-term  institutional  capacity  building  in  view  of 
strengthening Moldova’s resilience. Similarly, the EUAM in Ukraine is expanding its 
support to Ukrainian authorities to counter hybrid threats in line with evolving needs, 
including in the maritime domain through supporting the development of the Joint 
Maritime  Security  Centre  (JMSC).  EUAM  Ukraine  provided  specific  expertise  on 
maritime cybersecurity in the Black Sea and the Danube Corridor during the second 
forum Rebuilding Ukraine in December 2025.  

The  EU  Partnership  Mission  in  Armenia  is  the  newest  civilian  EU CSDP 
mission (29),  established  on  21  April  2026  with  the  aim  to  enhance  the  country’s 
democratic resilience and its ability to manage crisis in the long term. The mission 
will  support  Armenia  facing  multi-layered  threats  such  as  Foreign  Information 
Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), cyber-attacks and illicit financial flows. (30) 

The CyberEast+ regional initiative continued to strengthen cyber resilience in the 
Black Sea and Eastern Partnership countries, by supporting alignment with the NIS2 
Directive (31),  delivering  tailored  training  and  capacity  building,  organising 
simulation  exercises  and  workshops  to  counter  cyber  threats,  disinformation  and 
Foreign  Information  Manipulation  and  interference  (FIMI),  including  in  electoral 
contexts. 

In  Armenia,  the  EU  organised  a  series  of  workshops  and  TAIEX  events  for 
representatives of state institutions and stepped up its support to local civil society 
and independent media in their efforts to counter FIMI.   

At the December EU-Armenia Partnership Council (32), a new regional initiative was 
launched  to  counter  FIMI  and  disinformation  in  the  Eastern  neighbourhood  by 
strengthening civil society and independent media capacities to engage in strategic 
communication, promote media literacy among citizens.  

A regional EU rapid response exceptional assistance measure was set up in early 
2026 to support partner countries, particularly in Europe and Central Asia exposed to 
hybrid threats building on successful assistance models developed for and continuing 
to  support  Ukraine.  Support  is  already  being  provided  to  Moldova  under  the  new 
framework. Through these and other initiatives the EU continues to develop a whole 
of society approach by fostering partnerships among state institutions, civil society, 
academia  and  media  both  within  countries  and  across  the  region  to  help  ensure 
sustainable resilience against hybrid threats. 

In  Moldova,  the  EU  has  provided  rapid  response  for  cyber  and  internal  security 
(including relevant equipment). During the recent election cycles, rapid response was 
instrumental  to  help  safeguard  the  country’s  democratic  processes  against  hybrid 
interference.  Furthermore,  the  EU  has  mobilised  rapid  response  to  support 

(29)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/04/21/armenia-eu-establishes-a-new-

civilian-mission-to-contribute-strengthening-the-country-s-resilience/  

(30)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/04/21/armenia-eu-establishes-a-new-

civilian-mission-to-contribute-strengthening-the-country-s-resilience/ 

(31)  Directive (EU) 2022/2555 OJ L 333 27.12.2022, p. 80, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2555/2022-12-27  

(32)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-ministerial-meetings/2025/12/02/  

9 

 
 
 
independent  media  and  continues  working  to  strengthen  Moldova’s  strategic 
communication capacities. 

Also in Moldova, the EU is supporting the country’s efforts to protect its democratic 
processes from Russia’s interference, including through the activity of a new regional 
hub of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), which supports Moldova 
and  other  countries  in  detecting  and  analysing  manipulation  and  disinformation 
campaigns, particularly Russian disinformation. 

Through rapid response measures, the EU is supporting Ukraine’s resilience in the 
face of Russia’s war of aggression and hybrid threats, by notably enhancing internal 
and  civilian  security  and  safety  as  well  as  the  country’s  strategic  communication 
capacities. 

3.4. 

Fighting organised crime and trafficking 

The  Commission,  in  cooperation  with  the  United  Nations  Interregional  Crime  and 
Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), provided legal and policy support on tracing, 
seizing and confiscating criminal assets. It contributed to legislative reforms (notably 
in Ukraine and Moldova), promoted the social reuse of confiscated criminal assets, 
and enhanced practitioners’ skills through training and case-based mentoring. Under 
the regional project Training and Operational Partnership Against Organised Crime 
(TOPCOP  II),  CEPOL (33)  supported  structured  cooperation  and  law  enforcement 
capacity  through  workshops  and  training  on  operational  management,  open-source 
intelligence,  migrant  smuggling,  and  counterfeiting.  The  EMPACT (34)  Support 
Network,  with  experts  from  Europol  and  the  European  Border  and  Coast  Guard 
Agency  (‘Frontex’),  supported  strategic  intelligence  development,  introducing 
advanced analytical approaches and new data sources such as travel intelligence. In 
partnership with Europol, under the EU-funded project ‘Fight against organised crime 
in the EaP countries’, the Commission continued to further integrate Eastern partners 
in  EMPACT,  strengthening  operational  capacities,  addressing  key  crime  priorities 
including cybercrime, and supporting war crimes investigations in Ukraine. 

Through  EUAM  Ukraine,  the  EU  continued  to  support  Ukrainian  authorities  in 
strengthening interagency cooperation and analytical  capacities to  counter serious 
and  organised  crime,  enhance  integrated  border  management  in  line  with  EU 
standards,  improve  cross-border  coordination  with  neighbouring  countries,  and 
address  illicit  firearms  trafficking  through  targeted  capacity  building  and  strategic 
advice.  EUAM  Ukraine  supported  cross-border  operational  coordination  through 
quarterly trilateral meetings between Ukrainian, Romanian and Moldovan border and 
customs  authorities,  contributing  to  strengthened  cooperation  against  cross-border 
organised crime. 

As part of the implementation  of the EU Drugs  Strategy (35), which states  that the 
Commission will explore cooperation with candidate countries on port security, the 
Commission  invited  –  among  other  third  countries  –  Ukraine  and  Moldova  as 

(33)  CEPOL is the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training.  

(34)  EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) is a permanent EU security 
initiative that brings together member states, EU agencies (like Europol), and international partners to 
fight serious organised crime. 

(35)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0743  

10 

 
 
 
observers  to  its  European  Ports  Alliance  Public-Private  Partnership  (PPP)  expert 
workshop  on  port  security  in  smaller  seaports  and  inland  ports  in  February  2026. 
Moreover,  the  Commission  shared  its  insights  on  port  security  from  the  European 
Ports Alliance PPP at an expert meeting of the Danube Commission in April 2026. 

4. PILLAR 2: GROWTH AND PROSPERITY THROUGH BETTER CONNECTIVITY 

The Black Sea Strategy introduced the cross-regional Connectivity Agenda as a long-
term strategic initiative to facilitate the diversification of trade routes away from high-
risk dependencies, making connectivity more integrated, cost-effective and faster. In 
line  with  the  Strategy,  the  Commission  advanced  efforts  to  strengthen  trade, 
investment,  and  connectivity.  The  flagship  cross-regional  Connectivity  Agenda  is 
central  to  boosting  the  competitiveness  of  Black  Sea  countries’  economies  and 
deepening regional integration.  

4.1.  Boosting connectivity and energy security 

Sustained political dialogue has yielded strong political support for the cross-regional 
Connectivity  Agenda  among  partner  countries  and  EU  Member  States,  aligning 
stakeholders  around  the  need  to  coordinate  and  accelerate  the  delivery  of  tangible 
actions. Thanks to joint efforts, this flagship initiative progressed well in formalising 
structured regional cooperation with clear priorities.  

FLAGSHIP 2: Connectivity Agenda 

As a gateway linking Europe to Türkiye, the Southern Caucasus, Central Asia and beyond, 
the  Black  Sea  region  plays  a  key  role  for  European  and  overall  global  security, 
international  trade,  energy,  critical  raw  materials  and  food  security.  The  region  has 
significant untapped potential for economic development and is crossed by strategic transit 
routes.  Strengthening  regional  cooperation  and  improving  economic  links  would 
contribute to the competitiveness of the region, and of the EU. To this end, the Connectivity 
Agenda  aims  to  leverage  the  full  potential  of  the  Trans-Caspian  Transport  Corridor 
(TCTC) in the field of transport, including trade facilitation, and to improve energy and 
digital links. Since the adoption of the Strategy, the Commission has worked to roll out 
this flagship initiative. Significant progress has been made on improving and coordinating 
investment planning in support of the Connectivity Agenda:  

-  The  Commission  published  a  meta-study  in  February 2026  to  consolidate 
recommendations  on  priority  investments  and  regulatory  reforms  necessary  for  the 
operational delivery of the Connectivity Agenda. This comprehensive analysis, carried 
out  under  the  EU4Digital  programme (36),  reviewed  multiple  studies  and  over  200 
ongoing or planned investment projects, and mapped where investment is needed to 
strengthen transport, trade, energy and digital connections along the TCTC. The study 
highlights  key  stretches  where  infrastructure  in  neighbouring  countries  is  missing, 
outdated  or  not  fit  for  today’s  volumes,  providing  a  strategic  baseline  for  setting 
investment  priorities  with  partner  countries  and  international  financial  institutions 
(IFIs). Practical guidance for investment and required regulatory (‘soft connectivity’) 

(36)  https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/meta-study-advancing-cross-regional-connectivity-agenda_en  

11 

 
 
 
measures will give governments and the private sector a clear picture of where their 
capital can make the biggest difference in building modern and reliable infrastructure. 

-  Building  on  the  outcome  of  the  ministerial  meeting  on  cross-regional  security  and 
connectivity  in  October 2025 (37),  the  Commission  intensified  bilateral  engagement 
through a series of high-level and technical missions to partner countries, including 
Türkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Discussions aim to enhance cooperation on regional 
stability and connectivity, including priority investment. 

- 

In  consultation  with  partner  countries,  the  Commission  designed  a  coordination 
platform, which will focus on the Black Sea and South Caucasus partner countries and 
operate  in  synergy  with  the  existing  cooperation  framework  covering  Central  Asia. 
Both  public  and  private  sector  actors  confirmed  the  need  for  such  a  coordination 
mechanism  during  the  TCTC  and  connectivity  investors  forum  in  Tashkent  in 
November 2025 (38). The Connectivity Agenda platform, launched on 23 June 2026, 
will guide collective efforts, optimise project pipelines, and ensure efficiency across 
hard and soft connectivity initiatives.  

Recent multilateral agreements have bolstered connectivity and maritime security. In 
December,  Greece,  Bulgaria  and  Romania  established  the  Black  Sea–Aegean 
Corridor  Platform (39).  In  March  2026,  Romania,  Moldova  and  Ukraine  agreed  to 
continue working together on the Danube Action Plan 2.0, created under the European 
Commission’s Solidarity Lanes initiative (40). This initiative optimises navigation 
safety,  port communication  and  information exchange  and mitigates disruptions to 
Black Sea / Danube traffic. To support the Solidarity Lanes’ functioning, the CEF) 
provided additional funding in 2025 (41). Railway and road rehabilitation is facilitated 
in  Moldova  in  the  framework  of  Global  Gateway  projects (42).  Implementing 
infrastructure  projects  under  the  extended  TEN-T (43)  should  also  help  unlock  the 
TCTC’s full economic potential. The TEN-T Indicative Investment Action Plan was 
updated in December 2025 for Moldova and Ukraine.  

Several electricity interconnection projects between the EU and Ukraine and Georgia 
were included in the second list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest (44) (PMI) 

(37)  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2452  

(38)  https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/trans-caspian-transport-corridor-and-connectivity-investors-

forum-eu-advances-cross-regional-2025-11-27_en  

(39)  https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/greece-bulgaria-and-romania-strengthen-cooperation-

key-transport-links-2025-12-04_en   

(40)  https://transport.ec.europa.eu/ukraine/eu-ukraine-solidarity-lanes_en  

(41)  https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/eu-support-better-transport-connections-eastern-

europe-ukraine-and-moldova-2025-11-07_en  

(42)  https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16415-2025-INIT/en/pdf  

(43)  https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/infrastructure-and-investment/trans-european-transport-
network-ten-t/tentec-information-system-and-ten-t-map-library/ten-t-maps-indicative-extension-
neighbouring-countries_en  

(44)  PMI status gives accelerated permitting procedures, increased investor visibility, and eligibility for EU 

funding under the 'Connecting Europe Facility'. 

12 

 
 
 
under  the  TEN-E  Regulation (45).  Through  the  Central  and  South-Eastern  Europe 
Energy Connectivity (CESEC) High-Level Group (46), the Commission continues to 
promote  regional  energy  integration,  maintaining  oversight  of  priority  projects  in 
Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria.  

In  March,  the  12th  ministerial  meeting  of  the  Southern  Gas  Corridor  Advisory 
Council (47) and the 4th ministerial meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council in 
Baku, Azerbaijan, identified further opportunities for cooperation on clean energy and 
regional  energy  connectivity  in  the  South  Caucasus.  Representatives  from  partner 
governments, leading energy companies, regulatory bodies and IFIs emphasised the 
crucial role of the Southern Gas Corridor in the EU's efforts to diversify away from 
Russian gas imports. In the margins of the ministerial meeting, the high-level EU-
Azerbaijan  Green  Connectivity  Investment  Roundtable,  contributed  to  translating 
policy into investment opportunities along the three green energy corridors, as well 
as in grid infrastructure and transmission, renewables, energy efficiency and offshore 
wind. 

The Commission launched the third phase of the regional EU4Energy programme (48) 
in  January 2026, strengthening its  focus on  improved regional energy connectivity 
and regulatory frameworks coordination. This work directly supports the Black Sea 
strategy’s measures to tackle gaps in regulatory frameworks and the convergence 
of regulatory frameworks and network codes.  

With  the  adoption  of  the  EU  Ports  and  Industrial  Maritime  Strategies (49),  the 
Commission  has  provided  the  tools  Europe’s  maritime  shipping  and  shipbuilding 
sectors need to lead the clean energy transition, secure trade and defence, and remain 
globally  competitive.  To  achieve  these  objectives,  the  Commission  is  supporting 
large-scale energy efficiency projects, for example in the port of Constanta. 

Supported by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin programme (50), Bulgaria, Türkiye 
and Georgia are cooperating to improve performance in the logistics sector. By late 
2027,  the  recently  launched  BSB-LOGINET  project (51)  aims  to  have  launched  a 
cross-border logistics information exchange portal. 

As  follow  up  to  the  EU-Central  Asia  Summit  (April  2025) (52),  the  EU  provides 
support for addressing bottlenecks at Black and Caspian Sea ports and reducing transit 

(45)  Draft delegated act was published on 1 December 2025, with a scrutiny period of the Council of the EU 
running  until  1  April  2026.  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-

and 
content/EN/TXT/?uri=PI_COM%3AC%282025 %298144&qid=1766157187792 

the  European  Parliament 

(46)  https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/infrastructure/high-level-groups/central-and-south-eastern-europe-

energy-connectivity_en 

(47)  https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/press-statement-dan-jorgensen-european-commissioner-energy-and-

housing-and-parviz-shahbazov-minister-2026-03-03_en  

(48)  https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/international-cooperation/key-partner-countries-and-

regions/neighbourhood-east_en 

(49)  https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/commission-unveils-eu-ports-strategy-strengthen-

competitiveness-security-and-sustainability-european-2026-03-04_en  

(50)  https://blacksea-cbc.net/interreg-next-bsb-2021-2027  

(51)  https://www.blacksea-cbc.net/interreg-next-bsb-2021-2027/projects/bsb00959  

(52)  https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/04/04/joint-declaration-following-the-

first-european-union-central-asia-summit/  

13 

 
 
 
costs, thereby helping to increase trade volumes in line with the Black Sea strategy’s 
aim  to  deepen  cooperation  on  critical  raw  materials  and  secure  supply  chains. 
Armenia  currently  receives  support  from  the  Critical  Raw  Materials  (CRM) 
Facility (53) co-funded by the EU. The Facility aims to strengthen global partnerships 
and  advance  international  projects  to  build  sustainable  and  resilient  CRM  value 
chains. Ukraine and Central Asian countries have signed CRM partnerships with the 
EU and have access to this Facility. Diversifying import routes and securing supply 
chains across the Black Sea will remain critical. At the same time, the EU is providing 
support for circular economy initiatives to manage the demand side. 

In  line  with  efforts  to  advance  digital  links  and  create  a  trustworthy  digital 
environment, the Commission will organise a Connectivity Agenda Digital Summit 
in the second half of 2026. The inaugural Summit is expected to convene ministers, 
digital  business  leaders,  and  key  private  sector  investors  from  across  the  EU  and 
partner  countries  for  a  high-level  exchange  on  the  future  of  regional  digital 
connectivity.  It  will  serve  as  a  platform  to  foster  cooperation  in  emerging 
technologies, cybersecurity, and trusted digital infrastructure.  

4.2. 

Integrated development for a competitive Black Sea region 

Significant steps forward were made in 2025 on implementing the Common Maritime 
Agenda (CMA) for the Black Sea (54), reinforcing joint action on sustainable blue 
economy development under Ukraine's coordination. Key achievements include the 
operational  work  of  the  Black  Sea  Assistance  Mechanism  and  national  hubs  in 
offering practical support to meet the blue economy goals, such as uniting the regional 
blue economy community at the CMA Stakeholder Conference in Constanta, boosting 
funding  access,  exchanging  good  practices  and  supporting  project  development. 
National  events  notably  on  maritime  connectivity  (Bulgaria)  and  sustainable 
aquaculture  (Türkiye)  raised  awareness  of  local  actors.  The  technical  group  on 
aquaculture proposed a joint aquaculture monitoring programme. The technical group 
on sustainable tourism completed its first full year of operation, laying the foundations 
for  a  long-term  regional  vision  for  sustainable  tourism  that  would  link  cultural 
heritage, innovation, and community-based development. Across all its activities, the 
CMA promoted alignment in the Black Sea region with broader EU priorities, notably 
the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters and the EU Ocean Pact.  

To facilitate sea basin cooperation on maritime spatial planning, the Commission 
launched a call for proposals in January 2026, funded under the European Maritime, 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (55). The objective of the call is to develop innovative 
solutions for EU Member States in the Atlantic and Black Sea to tackle challenges in 
implementing, monitoring and reviewing their Maritime Spatial Plans.  

To ensure sustainable use of marine resources, the Commission continues to work 
closely with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (56) (GFCM), 
focusing on sustainability through catch limits and management plans for key species 

(53)  https://crmfacility.eu/  

(54)  https://black-sea-maritime-agenda.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2026-03/CMA%20-

%202025 %20implementation%20report%20_compressed.pdf 

(55)  https://black-sea-maritime-agenda.ec.europa.eu/node/755  

(56)  https://www.fao.org/gfcm/en/  

14 

 
 
 
like  turbot  and  sprat.  The  EU  plays  a  critical  role  in  enforcing  compliance,  by 
combating  illegal  fishing  under  the  2030  GFCM  Strategy.  A  key  milestone  was 
reached  during  the  2025  GFCM  annual  session,  when  the  Working  Group  for  the 
Black Sea was elevated to a statutory body within the GFCM, thus recognising its 
pivotal role in advising on regional fisheries management and conservation. For the 
first  time,  the  GFCM  agreed  to  introduce  a  mechanism  to  monitor  and  ensure 
compliance  with  regional  fisheries  measures (57).  If  regional  measures  are  not 
respected, the GFCM will require Mediterranean and Black Seas countries to address 
the identified deficiencies. 

The  EU  provides  significant  financial  support  for  GFCM  initiatives.  The  long-
standing BlackSea4Fish project continues to foster effective scientific collaboration 
in fisheries. By sustaining an inclusive multinational operational platform bringing 
together  fisheries  stakeholders,  the  project  has  strengthened  national  expertise  and 
scientific capacity, and is working towards ensuring a level-playing field for fisheries 
management.  These  efforts  are  yielding  measurable  results:  according  to  the  2025 
GFCM  publication  ‘The  State  of  Mediterranean  and  Black  Sea  Fisheries’ (58)  the 
percentage  of  overexploited  stocks  has  dropped  to  52  per  cent,  the  lowest  level 
recorded in the time series.  

The  Interreg  NEXT  Black  Sea  Basin  programme  also  further  contributed  to 
development and cohesion in the region through multi-country cooperation projects 
involving  organisations  from  Armenia,  Bulgaria,  Georgia,  Greece,  Moldova, 
Romania, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Since the adoption of the Strategy, ten projects have 
been implemented to boost sustainable aquaculture and coastal and maritime tourism, 
enhancing  maritime spatial planning, and strengthening cooperation  with other sea 
basins  (see  the  projects  in  Annex  I).  For  example,  the  INTERSMARTS  project  is 
reshaping  tourism  in  the  Black  Sea  basin.  With  partners  from  Bulgaria,  Greece, 
Moldova and Türkiye, the project created a cross-border network and earned multiple 
international  awards  for  its  smart  tourism  and  blue  growth  innovation  platform  in 
2025.  The  BlueDial  project  introduced  the  multi-country  BlackBlueNET  platform 
that aims to strengthen maritime governance across the Black Sea region.  

Moreover,  through  the  Communication  on  the  EU’s  eastern  regions  bordering 
Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (59) adopted in February 2026, the EU strengthened its 
support for the stability, prosperity, and resilience of the EU’s eastern border regions, 
including along Romania and Bulgaria’s maritime border in the Black Sea, focusing 
on five priorities areas. The Communication has been accompanied by the first annual 
high-level political dialogue and the launch of the ‘EastInvest Facility’, a dedicated 
financial platform that is estimated to provide at least EUR 28 billion in private and 
public investments in those regions.  

Under  Horizon  Europe,  the  European  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and 
Innovation, EUR 205 million were awarded to 481 grants across the Black Sea region 
in  the  reporting  period.  The  participation  of  the  Black  Sea  countries  demonstrates 
their importance to European research and innovation. The Operational Network of 

(57)  https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-leads-efforts-harmonise-fishing-rules-across-

mediterranean-and-black-seas-countries-2025-11-11_en  

(58)  FAO. 2025. The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2025. General Fisheries Commission 

for the Mediterranean. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd7701en 

(59)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52026DC0082  

15 

 
 
 
Funders  (including  Bulgaria,  Romania,  Georgia,  Moldova,  Türkiye  and  Ukraine) 
steers regional cooperation in this area and ensures that the Strategic Research and 
Innovation  Agenda  (SRIA)  for  the  Black  Sea  is  implemented  effectively.  Recent 
milestones include the December 2025 launch of specific calls under the 2025-26 EU 
‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030’ work programme.  

The ‘Black Sea Digital  Twin’ platform, launched in 2025 through the EU-funded 
DOORS (60)  and  BRIDGE-BS (61)  projects  and  developed  in  cooperation  with  key 
regional  stakeholders (62),  integrates  real-time  multi-source  data  with  AI-enhanced 
models of sea dynamics. It enables users to predict the impacts of climate change and 
environmental  stressors,  fostering  more  informed  and  evidence-based  decision-
making. 

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is a key provider of methodological guidance and 
analytical support for innovation policies in the Black Sea region, notably in Ukraine, 
Moldova and Türkiye. A workshop in February 2026 convening representatives from 
all candidate countries’ economies was designed to turn the strategic vision of smart 
specialisation  into  concrete  cross-border  cooperation  actions,  strengthening  the 
region’s innovation ecosystem and fostering economic integration with the EU. 

5.  PILLAR  3:  ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION,  CLIMATE  CHANGE  RESILIENCE  AND 

PREPAREDNESS, CIVIL PROTECTION 

The EU is committed to sustainable development and preparedness in the Black Sea 
region and is strengthening environmental protection, climate change resilience, and 
civil protection.  

FLAGSHIP 3: Preparedness of coastal communities and blue economy sectors 

Black  Sea  coastal  communities  face  the  impacts  of  climate  change,  environmental 
degradation  and,  in  certain  areas,  security  threats  due  to  ongoing  military  activities. 
Together, these pressures affect regional stability and strain local livelihoods. At the same 
time,  the  regions’  rich  natural  and  cultural  heritage  offers  significant  potential  for 
sustainable growth and innovation. To help address challenges and seize opportunities, on 
10 June 2026 the Commission adopted two dedicated Strategies, one for EU islands and 
one  for  EU  coastal  communities (63).  Across  several  projects,  measures  to  improve 
preparedness are delivered on the ground. 

The  EU  is  supporting  work  to  monitor  and  assess  the  growing  environmental 
damage that Russia continues to inflict as a result of its war of aggression against 
Ukraine.  In  2025-26,  the  “European  Union  for  Environmental  Monitoring  in  the 
Black Sea” project (64) carried out sampling to document the impacts of the Kerch 

(60)  https://doi.org/10.3030/101000518 

(61)  https://doi.org/10.3030/101000240  

(62)  European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Connecting the DOTs – An 
exploratory study of global activities and collaboration potential for Digital Ocean Twins, Kluckner, 
S.(editor), 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/2375732 

(63)  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_1318 

(64)  https://emblasproject.org/  

16 

 
 
 
Strait oil spill in December 2024 and the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in 
June 2023. Although sampling is difficult and limited, analysis of the data collected 
offered  insights  into  the  immediate  and  longer-term  environmental,  health,  and 
economic effects of the war. A regional round table meeting on war-related pollution, 
held  in  June  2025  under  Ukraine’s  coordination  of  the  CMA,  aimed  to  identify 
monitoring and mitigation priorities, while fostering regional cooperation.  

The EU strengthened data sharing and analysis to expand joint monitoring of the 
Black  Sea  environment.  This  includes  the  maintenance  of  the  Black  Sea  e-data 
Platform (65),  which  covers  most  of  the  descriptors  required  by  the  EU  Marine 
Strategy Framework Directive and contains multiannual data series. The designation 
of  Moldova (66)  and  Ukraine (67)  as  cooperating  countries  with  the  European 
Environment Agency in 2026 marks a further promising step in improving EU and 
regional  environmental  cooperation.  The  Commission  helped  to  leverage  new 
technologies  to  address  climate  and  environmental  challenges.  In  early  2026,  EU 
assistance enabled the delivery of advanced analytical equipment to Ukraine for water 
quality  and  microplastics  analysis.  Work  to  deploy  innovative  techniques  such  as 
environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and modelling continued.  

To further  strengthen  regional  environmental cooperation and governance, the 
Commission  continued  its  work  in  relation  to  the  Bucharest  Convention  for  the 
protection of the Black Sea. The Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission 
has been actively involved in the governance of various EU-funded initiatives. The 
EU’s strategic aim to acquire membership of this convention remains valid.  

The  Commission,  in  cooperation  with  EMSA,  has  continued  to  support  Black  Sea 
partner  countries  to  prevent  and  reduce  marine  pollution.  In  September,  several 
Black  Sea  countries  participated  in  an  oil  pollution  response  exercise  hosted  by 
Türkiye. EMSA mobilised its oil spill response vessel “Aktea II” and other specialised 
equipment. The Ukrainian Sea Port Authority received equipment to strengthen its 
emergency response capabilities. EMSA also provided support to ratify, implement 
and enforce international maritime conventions and implement the EU acquis.  

Overall, 34 Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin projects worth almost EUR 38 million 
(about EUR 34 million of EU funding) contributing to Pillar 3 were implemented or 
launched during the reporting period. Key initiatives include: AIRQUEST, which is 
developing an integrated air quality monitoring system across the region, combining 
satellite-  and  land-based  monitoring;  MACRO  CLEAN,  which  has  published  a 
methodology guide for converting marine on macroalgae into fertiliser and bioplastics 
and LEARN4SEA, which helped Bulgaria and Türkiye to  establish Environmental 
Information Centres.  

The  Commission  has  dedicated  resources  to  advancing  joint  initiatives  that 
including  water 
improve  environmental  and  climate  change  resilience, 

(65)  https://blackseadb.org/  

(66)  https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/eea-and-eionet-welcome-moldova-as-a-cooperating-

country  

(67)  https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/eea-and-eionet-welcome-ukraine-as-a-cooperating-

country  

17 

 
 
 
resilience. In 2025-2026, regional programmes such as EU4Climate Resilience (68) 
promoted nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. The city of Cantemir and the 
municipality  of  Ceadir-Lunga  in  Moldova  were  awarded  grants  for  pilot  actions 
designed to strengthen local resilience to climate impacts. In Armenia, such grants 
benefit the Gavar and Tashir municipalities. The Interreg BRIGHT project supports 
local level actors in Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova and Türkiye to deliver energy and 
climate action aligned with EU 2050 climate targets.  

The  EU  Water  Resilience  Strategy (69)  was  adopted  in  June  2025  and  has  put 
forward a proactive approach to restoring and protecting water cycles from source to 
sea,  build  a  water-smart  economy  and  safeguard  water  security  for  all  to  ensure 
sustainability and resilience. Support for policy action on water resilience is provided, 
for example, through the EU4Green Recovery East (70) programme. The programme 
will look at the water and climate nexus from a transboundary perspective with a focus 
on  the  South  Caucasus.  Furthermore,  the  new  Interreg  Blue&Green  Resilience 
project, launched in March, supports Black Sea cities in addressing water scarcity and 
climate risks through nature-based solutions and stronger cross-border cooperation. 

The  EU  actively  supports  grassroots  actions,  such  as  clean-ups  and  educational 
events. Examples include cetaceans monitoring activities involving Georgian pupils, 
and a WaterTech Bootcamp  in Azerbaijan  where  young innovators presented their 
solutions  for  sustainable  water  management.  In  Ukraine,  the  Black  Sea  ‘weekend 
school’  brought  together  children  and  scientists  for  four  months  in  2025,  with 
29 diplomas awarded on Black Sea Day. 

Preparedness  and  disaster  management  have  advanced  in  line  with  the 
Preparedness Union Strategy (71). The fourth phase of the EU-funded regional civil 
protection  programme  in  the  Eastern  Partnership  countries  was  launched  in 
November,  to  improve  disaster  resilience  and  response  capacities  while  fostering 
integration with the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The Commission 
also continued bilateral capacity-building efforts to support disaster preparedness and 
prevention:  in  2025,  six  UCPM-funded  projects  involving  entities  from  Türkiye 
(including  one  led  by  the  national  civil  protection  authority  with  a  focus  on  an 
ecosystem-based  approach  to  strengthen  knowledge-sharing  and  good  practices 
linking ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, and disaster risk prevention and 
preparedness), two involving entities from Romania (including one led by the national 
civil protection focused on strengthening capacities for search and rescue operations 
in the event of aviation incidents), and one from Moldova (led by the national civil 
protection authority, which developed a feasibility study for a national early warning 
system) were successfully completed. Another project focused on improving floods 
management in Samsun, a major Black Sea port, was ongoing during 2026. In April 
2026,  a  new  UCPM  project  involving  Türkiye  and  Romania,  alongside  France, 
Germany,  Italy  and  Portugal,  was  launched  to  protect  cultural  heritage  from  the 
impact of disasters using a whole-of-society model. In the context of the deepening 
EU-Armenia partnership and ahead of the first EU-Armenia Summit in Yerevan on 
5 May  2026,  the  EU  and  Armenia  signed  a  new  arrangement  on  civil  protection 

(68)  https://eu4climate.eu/  

(69  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0280  

(70)  https://www.eu4greenrecoveryeast.eu/  

(71)  https://commission.europa.eu/topics/preparedness_en  

18 

 
 
 
cooperation aimed at strengthening disaster resilience, preparedness and emergency 
response cooperation. 

Through  the  UCPM,  the  EU  swiftly  responded  to  requests  for  assistance  from 
Moldova  and  Ukraine.  In  2026,  EU  assistance  helped  tackle  oil  spills  in  the 
transboundary Dniester/Nistru River, a major source of drinking water for Moldova 
which  was  caused  by  Russia’s  attacks  on  critical  infrastructure  in  Ukraine.  The 
river’s contamination not only jeopardises the water supply, but also the integrity of 
aquatic ecosystems and overall water quality in the region.  Romania, Belgium and 
Luxembourg helped with absorbent materials and equipment. Absorbent material was 
also provided through the EU’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments. Additionally, 
the  EU  Emergency  Response  Coordination  Centre  (ERCC)  mobilised  personal 
protective equipment from its strategic rescEU stocks hosted by Germany and Poland 
and  activated  EMSA  satellite  imagery  services  to  detect  and  monitor  oil  spills.  In 
Ukraine,  in  response  to  sustained  attacks  on  energy  infrastructure,  generators  and 
transformers were offered to reinforce and repair the electricity grid. The delivery of 
the  Vilnius  Thermal  Power  Plant  was  the  largest  and  most  complex  logistical 
operation under the UCPM to date, providing electrical capacity to serve an estimated 
one million people. 

Several  Interreg  NEXT  Black  Sea  Basin  projects  have  contributed  to  regional 
cooperation on preparedness and disaster management. Under IMPACT+, a Common 
Emergency  Response  Plan  was  developed  to  improve  emergency  preparedness  in 
rural areas and effective coordination between authorities and local communities. The 
CO-RESILIENCE project provided support to develop a training centre in Çatalca 
Elbasan  in  Türkiye,  for  forest  firefighting  experts  and  volunteers,  which  will  be 
pivotal to strengthening regional wildfire prevention and response capacities. Similar 
investments are planned in Kameno in Bulgaria and Nestoia in Ukraine, and through 
a  Mobile  Centre  for  Information  and  Prevention  in  Moldova.  Additional  projects 
launched in 2025, including NAT-RES, BSB-BSUAND, RISCARE and ISTROS (see 
Annex I), are expected to further boost regional resilience and preparedness.  

The European Commission plays a key role in responding to radiological incidents 
through the early warning system of the European Community Urgent Radiological 
Information  Exchange  (ECURIE)  and  the  European  Radiological  Data  Exchange 
Platform  (EURDEP).  Ukraine  and  Türkiye  currently  participate  in  EURDEP,  and 
Ukraine is due to join ECURIE in 2026. 

6.  WAY FORWARD 

During the first year of implementation, the Commission and the High Representative 
have considerably advanced EU engagement with the partner countries of the Black 
Sea region. This strengthened engagement focused on shared interests, both through 
new  initiatives,  such  as  the  Connectivity  Agenda,  and  well-established  streams  of 
regional cooperation, such as the CMA for the Black Sea and the SRIA for the Black 
Sea.  

The  Black  Sea  region  will  remain  a  core  EU  priority.  In  response  to  intensifying 
geopolitical pressures, the EU is committed to forge a united approach to security and 
connectivity across the region.  

19 

 
 
The first Ministerial meeting on cross-regional security and connectivity in October 
2025 fostered political resolve and a common understanding of shared interests across 
a diverse region facing significant geopolitical challenges. A follow up ministerial is 
planned  for  late  2026  to  sustain  the  strong  political  momentum,  review  progress 
achieved and agree on the subsequent priority actions.  

Joint efforts under Pillar 1 ‘Security, Stability and Resilience’ will continue to address 
hybrid threats, enhance maritime safety and security, and protect critical infrastructure 
and  trade  routes,  amid  increasing  Russian  attacks  against  Ukraine’s  civilian 
infrastructure, such as energy infrastructure, and its Black Sea ports. In this context, 
the EU will support Black Sea littoral states in implementing the concept of a regional 
maritime security hub in coordination with EU Member States and relevant partner 
countries.  

Pillar 1 ensures that the EU Black Sea strategy is part of a new EU policy mix that 
builds  on  the  principle  of  ‘preparedness  by  design’,  contributing  to  long-term 
resilience  across  various  sectors.  This  implementation  report  of  the  Black  Sea 
Strategy is placed in a context where EU action is geared and streamlined through 
concrete action, shaped by initiatives such as the Action Plan on Drone and Counter 
Drone  Security (72),  the  Communication  on  the  EU’s  eastern  regions  bordering 
Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (73), or the EU Ports strategy (74). Looking ahead, the EU 
will  enhance  its  security  commitments  to  the  Black  Sea  region  and  will  ensure 
coherence among security and defence initiatives in the region.  

The implementation of the Black Sea Strategy, notably through its Pillar 1, supports 
the EU’s wider objective to integrate crisis anticipation, resilience, and coordinated 
response capabilities into its policy framework. It also contributes to a more coherent 
and integrated approach to action across the sea basins surrounding the EU. Looking 
ahead,  efforts  will  be  made  to  strengthen  coherence,  notably  by  promoting  the 
exchange  of  experience  and  best  practices  between  the  Baltic  and  the  Black  Sea 
basins.  Particular  attention  will  be  given  to  addressing  challenges  posed  by 
substandard shadow fleet, the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, and the 
countering of hybrid threats.  

Under  Pillar 2  ‘Growth  and  Prosperity’,  the  Strategy  has  set  out  efforts  to  unlock 
economic  potential  and  strengthen  connectivity,  particularly  through  the  flagship 
initiative on the cross-regional Connectivity Agenda and the CMA for the Black Sea. 
These  initiatives  are  central  to  boosting  trade,  investment,  and  sustainable  growth 
across the region. The Connectivity Agenda demonstrates the EU’s strategic resolve 
to foster prosperity, cooperation, and stability in the Black Sea and South Caucasus 
regions, as well as in Central Asia. The Commission is working closely with partner 
countries and IFIs to identify and prepare priority infrastructure projects and mobilise 
the  investments  required  for  their  implementation.  In  this  regard,  the  Connectivity 
Agenda  Platform,  launched  in  June  2026,  will  be  an  instrumental  coordination 
mechanism, providing a coherent development platform for the entire TCTC corridor. 

(72)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52026DC0081   

(73)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52026DC0082  

(74)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52026DC0112  

20 

 
 
 
The  Commission  will  also  support  Member  States  in  promoting  private  sector 
engagement through the emerging project pipeline.  

Priority actions will also include fostering synergies between the Black Sea and the 
Danube  region  as  a  strategic  link  for  connectivity,  economic  cooperation  and 
sustainable development. 

Bulgaria  has  become  the  CMA  coordinator  for  2026 (75),  succeeding  Ukraine. 
Upcoming activities and the annual stakeholder conference, planned for the second 
half  of  2026,  will  contribute  to  further  strengthen  strategic  dialogue  and  regional 
cooperation  on  maritime  safety  and  security,  environmental  protection,  innovation 
and the sustainable development of the Black Sea blue economy.  

Under  Pillar 3 ‘Environmental  Protection,  Climate  Change  Resilience  and 
Preparedness, Civil Protection’, peer exchange and cooperation on environmental and 
climate  resilience  contributed  to  finding  rapid  solutions,  including  to  pollution 
induced by Russia’s was of aggression. The EU will continue to work closely with 
coastal communities and further strengthen its support to them. The Commission will 
mobilise the entire array of instruments at its disposal to step up coordinated action to 
safeguard the environment, strengthen climate resilience and enhance preparedness 
and civil protection across the region. 

The EU remains firmly committed to advancing a more secure, better connected, and 
resilient  Black  Sea  region,  as  a  matter  of  strategic  interest  for  the  Union  and  its 
partners, while fostering sustainable growth opportunities in a mutually reinforcing 
and beneficial way. Against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression and a rapidly 
evolving geopolitical context, the Strategy’s implementation will remain flexible and 
adaptive, guided by continuous assessment of the conditions and challenges affecting 
its delivery. Under each of the three pillars, EU Member States and partner countries 
play a key role in delivering on shared goals under the Strategy. Moving forward, the 
Commission  and  High  Representative  will  continue  to  prioritise  result-oriented 
dialogue and joint action at all levels of cooperation, with a clear focus on strategic 
impact, unity of purpose, and the delivery of tangible outcomes in the region.  

(75)  https://black-sea-maritime-agenda.ec.europa.eu/bulgaria-takes-lead-coordinating-common-maritime-

agenda-black-sea-2026  

21 

 
 
 
Annex A 

Major multi-country projects under implementation in the Black Sea region in 2025-2026 

Project title 

PILLAR 1 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

Project scope 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

Fighting against organised crime in the 
Eastern Partnership region II 

01.2025 - 
12.2028 

Training and Operational Partnership 
against Organised Crime (TOPCOP) II 

07.2024 - 
06.2028 

Improving cyber resilience in Eastern 
Partnership countries I 

Improving cyber resilience in Eastern 
Partnership countries II 

CyberEast+: Enhanced action on 
cybercrime for cyber resilience in the 
Eastern Partnership States 

Support to Eastern Partnership 
Countries to Enhance Asset 
Recovery II 

12.2024 - 
11.2027 

12.2024 - 
12.2026 

03.2024 - 
02.2027 

10.2027 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

EU4MD II – EU4Monitoring Drugs II 

12.2027 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■  NDICI 

■  NDICI 

NDICI 

1.8 

5.2 

1.7 

Enhance participation in 
EMPACT 

Strengthen cooperation to 
address criminal threats 

Legislative support on NIS 2 
Directive and capacity-building 

■  NDICI 

1.8 

Same as above 

■  NDICI 

3.5 

■  NDICI 

1.00 

■  NDICI 

1.00 

Ensure a more effective 
criminal justice response to 
cybercrime 

Support asset recovery policies 
and practices and facilitate 
operational implementation in 
the recovery of proceeds of 
organised crime 

Enhance monitoring, 
assessment and response 
capabilities in relation to 
contemporary drug issues 

Countering disinformation and 
FIMI, and support media 
literacy 

Resilient & Connected 

12.2025 - 
03.2028 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■  NDICI 

5.00 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

Flexible Response Mechanism (FRM) 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

02.2026 - 
07.2027 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

■ 

NDICI - 
CRISIS 

PILLAR 2 

BLUE-GATES 

AQUABATOR  

SUSDEST-NET 

SUSTAIN-2 

MARMAPS 

BIOSUSTAIN 

e-AQUAF 

EfxINNOs 

09.2024 - 
03.2027 

09.2025 - 
09.2027 

11.2025 - 
05.2028 

12.2025 - 
12.2027 

06.2024 - 
12.2025 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

12. 2025 - 
06.2027 

■ 

■ 

02.2026 - 
08.2028 

08.2024 - 
02.2027 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

23 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

18 

1.40 

1.40 

1.42 

1.09 

0.50 

0.55 

Project scope 

Strengthen partner countries’ 
capacities to respond to hybrid 
threats, with a focus on 
provision of critical equipment. 
Currently active in MD, 
available multi-country. 

Innovative tools to improve 
aquaculture and safeguard 
marine resources 

Incubator for sustainable 
aquaculture  

Sustainable Destinations Black 
Sea Network 

Sustainability model for 
tourism supported by artificial 
intelligence 

Joint maritime spatial planning 
and conservation of marine 
ecosystems 

Sustain biodiversity through 
traditional and novel 
knowledge 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

1.40 

Smart aquafarming solutions 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

1.64 

Marine Technology Transfer 
Network for blue economy 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

BlueDial 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

02.2026 - 
08.2027 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

0.50 

INTERSMARTS 

06.2024 - 
12.2025 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

0.55 

Facility for Eastern Partnership 
Investment in Connectivity (EPIC) 

12.2021 – 
12.2028 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■  NDICI 

EU4Energy Phase II and II+ 

EU4Innovation East 

EU4Digital Facility 

EU4Digital: Investing in Broadband 
Connectivity 

PILLAR 3 

Black Sea SIERRA 

01.2021-
12.2025 

04.2024 - 
09.2028 

06.2022 - 
09.2026 

11.2023 – 
11.2026 

10.2023 - 
09.2026 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■  NDICI 

13.49 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■  NDICI 

22.12 

■  NDICI 

16.00 

■ 

■  NDICI 

5.00 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

EMFAF 

0.75 

24 

Project scope 

Support coordination and 
alignment of national and 
regional strategies with the 
CMA for the Black Sea and a 
common sustainable blue 
economy vision 

Improving sustainability 
performance and innovation 
absorption in tourism and 
services 

Advisory and technical support 
to improve transport 
connections 

Facilitate regulatory reforms 
for clean energy transition and 
energy market liberalisation  

Develop high-performance 
incubators, expand funding and 
market opportunities for 
startups 

Support integration into the EU 
Digital Single Market 

Broadband mapping for digital 
connectivity investment 
planning   

Preparedness in response to 
civil and military pollution  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

RESPONSE 

ANEMONE PLUS 

ALGAEREVIVE 

AIRQUEST 

IASON+ 

BS-SEOS 

LAP-BACK 

MACRO-CLEAN 

MicroDanger 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

10.2023 - 
09.2026 

09.2025 - 
03.2028 

09.2024 - 
03.2027 

07.2024 - 
07.2026 

06.2024 - 
12.2026 

10.2024 - 
03.2027 

09.2024 - 
09.2026 

09.2024 - 
03.2027 

12.2025 - 
06.2028 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

Project scope 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

EMFAF 

0.60 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

1.48 

1.47 

1.20 

1.40 

1.29 

1.46 

1.51 

1.45 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

25 

Training and curricula for the 
monitoring, reporting, 
management and mitigation of 
marine pollution, focusing on 
pollution caused by armed 
conflicts 

Assess the vulnerability of the 
Black Sea marine ecosystem to 
human pressures 

Harness algae power for 
pollution reduction and blue 
growth 

Mobilise communities for air 
quality 

Invasive Alien Species 
Observatory and assessment of 
climate change impacts and 
ecosystem services  

Black Sea Smart Marine 
Environmental Outcome 
System 

Strengthen local intervention 
capacities for climate change  

Research and pilot application 
of cleaning methodologies to 
manage macroalgal blooms 

Public outreach to reduce 
microplastic pollution 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

HERO 

AGRIPERMA 

STEP2CleanPlan 

SG4Y-CLIMATE 

NAT-RES 

BSB-BSUAND 

RISCARE 

ISTROS 

CO-RESILIENCE 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

Project scope 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

12.2025 - 
12.2027 

12.2025 - 
06.2027 

07.2024 - 
01.2026 

11.2025 - 
05.2027 

11.2025 - 
11.2027 

09.2025 - 
03.2027 

09.2025 - 
09.2027 

09.2025 - 
03.2028 

06.2024 - 
08.2026 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

■ 

1.64 

0.44 

0.50 

0.55 

1.64 

0.50 

1.64 

1.28 

1.48 

Address environmental impacts 
on reefs 

Exchange of good practices 
and knowledge on regenerative 
agriculture and permaculture  

Cooperation for sustainable 
energy and climate actions’ 
planning and monitoring 

Youth involvement in climate 
action 

Advanced technologies to 
anticipate, mitigate and 
respond to Natural Hazard 
Triggering Technological 
Disasters events 

Joint action against natural 
disasters 

Joint procedures and training 
for rapid intervention 

Strengthen biodiversity 
protection  

Cooperation on capacity 
building for wildfire 
community resilience and early 
warning systems 

■ 

■ 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

IMPACT+ 

SPEER-A 

DARE-EU 

REDA_NEXt 

GREEN URBAN RESILIENCE 

LEARN4SEA 

CAGOS 

EcosySTEM 

EcoYOU 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

07.2024 - 
01.2026 

09.2025 - 
01.2028 

12.2025 - 
12.2027 

10.2025 - 
03.2027 

07.2024 - 
09.2026 

06.2024 - 
08.2026 

06.2024 - 
12.2026 

07.2024 - 
07.2026 

06.2024 - 
12.2025 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

27 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

0.55 

0.76 

2.33 

0.50 

1.29 

0.82 

1.49 

1.63 

0.43 

Project scope 

Improve emergency response 
to natural and man-made 
disasters in small communities  

Strengthen earthquake 
emergency response and rescue 
capacity  

Disaster assistance and 
response in Moldova, Bulgaria 
and Türkiye 

Rapid Earthquake Damage 
Assessment - Expanded 

Green solutions for urban areas 
addressing climate change, heat 
stress and thermal discomforts  

Joint learning for 
environmentally-friendly 
behaviour at community level 

Clean areas, green and open 
streets 

Empower children for 
environmental sustainability 
through E-STEM 

Clean and green minds for 
environmentally-friendly 
behaviour 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

■ 

■ 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

UCare 

DIALOGUE 

easyPEST  

GwB  

GreenS4BlackSea 

WISE-WASTE 

Sustain BIO&CLIMA  

EU4EMBLAS 

Strengthening environmental resilience 
and maritime safety for Black and 
Caspian seas riparian states 
(BCSEA II) 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

08.2025 - 
08.2027 

09.2025 - 
12.2026 

12.2025 - 
06.2027 

12.2025 - 
06.2028 

12.2025 - 
06.2027 

12.2025 - 
12.2027 

12.2025 - 
06.2028 

04.2021 -
06.2026 

09.2026 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

1.47 

0.54 

0.52 

0.95 

0.45 

1.48 

1.61 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Interreg 
NEXT BSB 

Project scope 

Green infrastructure for urban 
climate adaptation and 
recovery  

Dialogue for innovation and 
better governance 

Establish a plant pest 
monitoring system  

Decision support system for 
global water balance 

Protection of virgin forests as a 
green solution for the Black 
Sea 

Cooperation on waste 
management and pollution 
reduction 

Enhance accessibility, 
biodiversity, and climate 
resilience through sustainable 
practices 

Monitoring surveys and 
equipment, public awareness 
and participation 

Enhance maritime safety and 
environmental protection 
through training, improved 
vessel traffic monitoring, and 
pollution control 

■  NDICI 

2.19 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■  NDICI 

4.50 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Project title 

EU4ClimateResilience 

EU4Green Recovery East 

Duration  
(start – end, 
month.year) 

01.2024 - 
12.2027 

01.2025 - 
12.2028 

Prevention, Preparedness and Response 
to natural and human-induced disasters 
in the Eastern Partnership countries – 
phase 4 (PPRD East 4) 

11.2025 - 
10.2029 

Black Sea basin countries involved in the project 

Instrument 

BG  EL  RO  AM  AZ  GE  MD  TR  UA 

Project scope 

Budget, 
million 
EUR 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■  NDICI 

19.58 

■  NDICI 

21.30 

■  NDICI 

5.00 

Support climate policy design 
and implementation 

Support water resilience, 
circular economy, legislative 
alignment, transboundary 
projects 

Strengthen Disaster Risk 
Management (DRM) systems 
and enhance cooperation with 
the Union Civil Protection 
Mechanism 

*The EU funding for Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin projects amounts to 90% of the total project budget.  

29