The European Union will provide €50 million to accelerate plans for a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during a visit to the region on November 9 and 10. The Commission said the funding is dedicated to the hub and confirmed the work would be accelerated.
Von der Leyen said the EU stood in “full solidarity” with Romania and could provide immediate support through satellite imagery from the Copernicus programme. The European Commission confirmed the funding announcement and the push to speed up the project.
The hub is expected to involve Romania and Bulgaria, with facilities planned in Constanța and Varna, according to Euronews. Its stated aims include protecting critical infrastructure, sharing information between the two countries and supporting trade.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan discussed Black Sea security with von der Leyen. He described the sea as important for global trade and Europe’s energy security, and said a secure Black Sea was necessary for a stable peace in Ukraine and an effective reconstruction process.
Von der Leyen said the project would proceed with a clear completion timeline. Euronews reported that the hub could become operational in the first half of 2027.
Nicole French