On April 10, the New Strategy Center organized a panel titled “The Battle for a Free & Open Black Sea, Regional and Global Impact” at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece.

The speakers emphasized the strategic importance of maintaining a free and open Black Sea, both for regional stability and for Euro-Atlantic security. Discussions also addressed potential developments in the war in Ukraine and peace negotiations, the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation, and the U.S. military presence in Europe. The speakers highlighted the need for cooperation between littoral states and Western allies to counter threats and promote a sustainable security framework in the region.

The Black Sea represents connectivity between Europe and Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East, as well as between the Baltic and Mediterranean regions. It is a hub for major energy projects and transport routes for energy resources from the Caucasus and Central Asia to Europe. It also plays a crucial role in food security and grain exports to African and Middle Eastern countries.

The security of the Black Sea region largely depends on the outcome of the war in Ukraine and the security guarantees that will be established to prevent further Russian aggression against Ukraine. Moreover, energy and connectivity projects in the Black Sea depend on how the peace process in Ukraine evolves, how robust a potential agreement will be, and to what extent it will be respected by Russia.

The panel was moderated by George Scutaru, CEO of the New Strategy Center. Speakers included H.E. Maka Botchorishvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia; Ambassador Tacan Ildem, President of the Center for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM) and former Turkish Ambassador to NATO; and Svitlana Kovalchuk, Executive Director of the Yalta European Strategy, Ukraine.

The event organized by the New Strategy Center within the prestigious Delphi Economic Forum is part of a series of initiatives aimed at promoting the strategic relevance of the Black Sea and Romania’s importance for the security and stability of the region.