Bulgaria consults NATO allies over Russian partial Black Sea blockade

Bulgaria is holding talks with NATO allies to discuss the ongoing partial blockade of the country's Black Sea exclusive economic zone by Russia. 

As reported by Euractiv, referring to Defence Minister Todor Tagarev's comment to the publication, the discussion revolves around whether the NATO member should tackle the Russian blockade, caused by ongoing military exercises in the area, independently or with the help of the military alliance.

According to the minister, Russia informed Sofia that parts of the economic zone would remain closed until September, which is already considered a provocation. 

Although Tagarev noted, that there was "no immediate risk or threat of an attack" against merchant vessels sailing in these territories, he did recall, that "these waters are under the sovereignty of each coastal state and form part of the state territory. An attack in the territorial sea can be seen as an attack against the Republic of Bulgaria and NATO as a whole”.

The naval forces of Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye have increased their vigilance, continuing to carry out tasks with their own forces and means to ensure the safety of merchant ships passing through the Black Sea.

The publication recalls, that as per international legal norms, ships of all countries, regardless of the flag of their nationality, enjoy the right of peaceful passage through the territorial sea of any country.