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Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Suay Alpay reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to Black Sea security through regional cooperation, energy integration, and support for lasting peace in Ukraine during the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum in Bucharest.
Speaking Friday at the forum's opening panel titled "The Battle for the Black Sea Is Not Over.
Current and Possible New Threats," Alpay outlined Türkiye's strategic approach to regional stability and emphasized the country's role as a key mediator in ongoing conflicts.
Alpay described the Black Sea region as a strategic maritime corridor connecting Europe, Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.
"The Black Sea holds an important position in the rapidly developing security environment with its geostrategic importance at the intersection of the Europe-Asia region," he said.
The Turkish deputy defense minister outlined Türkiye's three fundamental principles for regional stability: regional ownership and cooperation among littoral states, avoidance of actions that raise military tensions, and full compliance with the Montreux Convention.
Alpay underlined the Montreux Convention's role in preserving Black Sea stability, describing Türkiye's implementation of the 1936 treaty as impartial and consistent.
Alpay highlighted the growing significance of recent natural gas discoveries in Romanian and Turkish waters, planned research in Bulgaria, and upcoming renewable energy projects in allied maritime jurisdictions.
"Maritime trade between coastal countries and between coastal countries and non-Black Sea countries further increases the importance of the Black Sea for us," he said.
The Turkish official emphasized energy security as a cornerstone of regional cooperation and stability.
Addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Alpay said Türkiye continues to support all peace initiatives and backs the Coalition of the Willing, a group of 31 countries supporting Ukraine.
"Türkiye closely monitors the security situation in Ukraine and its surroundings, welcomes allied efforts to resolve the crisis, and leads all kinds of peace efforts, including the Istanbul negotiations," he said.
He recalled the high-level talks hosted in Istanbul on May 16 between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, which Türkiye facilitated, and called for a "just, final and lasting peace" instead of temporary ceasefires.
Alpay emphasized that cooperation among littoral states remains essential while warning that military escalation in the region could heighten tensions.
Romania's President-elect Nicusor Dan, who won Sunday's presidential election with 53.6% of the vote, pledged continued support for Ukraine during the forum's opening.
"Aid to Ukraine will continue, of course; we all want to reach peace, or at least an armistice, as quickly as possible," Dan said.
Dan expressed Romania's willingness to participate in Ukraine's post-conflict reconstruction efforts once peace is achieved and reaffirmed the country's pro-West orientation while acknowledging areas for improvement in EU and NATO engagement.
Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar said mine-clearing operations and expanded defense spending remain priorities for Bucharest, including control over its airspace and military modernization.
Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov called the Black Sea a critical geostrategic crossroad, warning that instability in the region directly threatens the North Atlantic alliance.
He voiced Bulgaria's support for stronger NATO deterrence on the eastern flank and stressed the need for sustainable support and a "fair and sustainable peace" in Ukraine.
Moldovan Defense Minister Anatolie Nosatii said his country is focused on strengthening national resilience and countering hybrid threats to preserve stability and security.
The ninth Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum concluded Friday after two intensive days examining artificial intelligence's impact on warfare, European security architecture, and emerging geopolitical challenges.
Former military officials and experts discussed AI's expanding role in warfare, ethical concerns surrounding autonomous systems, and critical requirements for human oversight in decision-making processes.
European security framework discussions dominated multiple sessions, with experts debating whether Europe should pursue greater strategic autonomy or strengthen transatlantic partnerships.
Extensive attention was focused on Russia's unconventional warfare tactics, including the weaponization of migration and the ongoing hybrid threats that Moldova faces. Experts analyzed post-war Russia scenarios and nuclear deterrence effectiveness.
The forum addressed broader geopolitical issues, including food weaponization affecting global supply chains and intensifying great power competition spanning from Asia to Europe.
The two-day event was organized by the New Strategy Center, a Romanian think tank, in cooperation with Romania's National Defense Ministry.
Turkish news agency Anadolu served as the forum's global communication partner.
Institutional partners included Romania's Foreign Ministry, while Bucharest's University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine served as the academic partner.
The forum brought together nearly 200 speakers from EU and NATO member states to address long-term security challenges in the Black Sea and Balkans regions.
George Scutaru, CEO of the New Strategy Center, and Nicolas Warnery, ambassador of France to Romania, delivered closing remarks, with Warnery expressing gratitude for being the partner country of the organization.
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