The New Strategy Center in Berlin presented in Berlin two studies: “Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and the Strategic Significance of the Danube” and “Black Sea’s Offshore Energy Potential and its Strategic Role at a Regional and Continental Level”, hosted by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The first panel, moderated by Mihai Marc, Project Coordinator on behalf of KAS Romania, started with a presentation by George Scutaru on the Black Sea’s energy potential and security challenges in the region. Discussions continued with a dynamic question and answer session.

The second panel, moderated by Norbert Beckmann-Dierker, Director of KAS Bulgaria, had as speaker Dr. Antonia Colibășanu. The discussion focused on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, Russian kinetic and hybrid threats and the strategic importance of the Danube River. The conclusions were presented by Katja Plate, Director of KAS Romania.

During the discussions, the need to develop a German strategy dedicated to the Black Sea was noted, driven by the role Germany plays at European level, its interests in the wider Black Sea region and the importance of the Danube for connectivity between the Black Sea and Western Europe.

The studies can be accessed HERE

The event was followed by a working dinner, at the beginning of which Knut Abraham, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, presented an analysis of the security culture in Germany.

The New Strategy Center is conducting a study visit to Germany in Berlin from 23-25 April, with the NSC team of experts, consisting of George Scutaru, Director General, Antonia Colibășanu, Senior Associate Expert, and Sergiu Mitrescu, Programme Director, having a series of meetings with German officials and experts. The NSC visit was organised by the Romanian office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) and is part of a research project dedicated to the strategic importance of the Black Sea and Danube in the context of the current war in Ukraine.