EU Commission President: No serious talks on European security without ceasefire in Ukraine
صورة: وكالة الأنباء الكويتية (كونا)
EU Commission President stresses necessity of ceasefire in Ukraine and Black Sea before discussing security arrangements with NATO participation
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Brussels, November 9 (KUNA) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed on Monday that no serious discussions on future security arrangements in Europe can begin before a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine, stressing that such talks must take place in an appropriate framework involving NATO and European Union member states. Speaking at a press conference in Bucharest, the Romanian capital, von der Leyen said the European Union supports the anticipated peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, mediated by the United States and with European participation, emphasizing that achieving peace is a priority and that the Ukrainian people are the most eager to end the war. She added that the EU reiterates its support for calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, noting that freedom of navigation in this vital maritime corridor is essential for the European and Ukrainian economies and for global food security, upon which millions of people, particularly in Africa, depend. She warned of the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea in recent weeks, following drone attacks on commercial vessels off the Romanian coast that resulted in the deaths and disappearance of sailors, expressing the EU’s full solidarity with Romania and the victims’ families. She explained that the EU will enhance monitoring of maritime activities in the region by providing satellite imagery through the Copernicus program, thereby improving surveillance and response capabilities to security developments. In this context, von der Leyen announced an additional allocation of 10 million euros ($11.2 million) to Romanian authorities to support search and rescue operations and strengthen their capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to maritime incidents. She also announced accelerating efforts to establish a Black Sea Maritime Security Center in coordination with Romania and Bulgaria, according to a clear timeline and with dedicated investments of 50 million euros ($56 million), highlighting the importance of enhancing maritime cooperation with Turkey to address growing security challenges in the region. (End) A.R.N./F.A.S.
