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On 28 May, the European Commission and Council unveiled a joint strategic plan to strengthen the Black Sea region, focusing on its geostrategic importance. This initiative aims to enhance the region's role as a vital link between Europe, the Southern Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, and highlights the importance of improving transport infrastructure to facilitate trade, boost connectivity, and ensure the security of supply chains.

A key part of this strategy is the development of a Connectivity Agenda, which aims to connect Europe with Central Asia through the South Caucasus. This agenda includes the creation of new transport corridors, such as the Baltic Sea-Black Sea-Aegean Sea and the Rhine-Danube European Transport Corridors. These corridors are designed to complement existing networks and improve multimodal transport links, including rail, road, and waterway connections to key Black Sea ports. Enhancing these transport routes would strengthen the region's position as a vital trade hub and support the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which is essential for diversifying trade routes and reducing dependency on single transit paths.

 The EU's strategic approach also underscores the need for significant investments to rebuild and modernise the transport infrastructure in the Black Sea and Danube regions, which have suffered extensive damage due to ongoing conflicts. These investments are essential for maintaining and improving trade routes, reducing costs, and ensuring the reliability of transport. In addition, the strategy emphasises the importance of energy efficiency and decarbonisation in maritime transport and port systems.

 Finally, the EU's engagement in the Black Sea region will focus on enhancing military mobility and dual-use infrastructure projects. This involves upgrading transport infrastructure to support both civilian and military needs, ensuring that ports and critical maritime infrastructure are equipped to handle large-scale military transport. The Black Sea Maritime Security initiative, including the establishment of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, would also play a crucial role in strengthening maritime safety and security, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, and safeguarding the marine environment. This hub will also enhance regional cooperation on demining efforts and address risks to both the environment and maritime safety.

 Source: European Commission