The European Union's strategic approach to the Black Sea region

Background

The Black Sea is a strategically important area for trade and energy, but the region faces ongoing conflicts and Russian influence. The current evolving geopolitical landscape has plunged regional security to its lowest point since the Cold War and calls for a robust, coordinated EU response.

The EESC welcomes the long-awaited initiative for a European Union strategic plan, but it notes it comes with a delay. Therefore, the Committee urges swift, decisive action backed by sufficient resources.

This opinion provides a critical assessment of the EU’s current and proposed strategies for the Black Sea region, emphasizing the need for a more ambitious, coordinated, and well-funded approach that addresses security, economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Key points

In this opinion the EESC:

  • calls for a pragmatic, well-funded strategy with a concrete action plan, timeline, and dedicated budget to address accumulated challenges and outline long-term cooperation;
  • urges the development of a common vision for regional cooperation, leveraging EU-level policies and international treaties, and working with regional organizations like the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC);
  • highlights the need to counter hybrid threats, especially in Moldova and Georgia, and calls for more action from the EU and NATO;
  • stresses that achieving a lasting peace is a necessary and essential pre-condition for sustainable economic development.

Additional Information

EESC section: External Relations (REX)

Opinion number: REX/-609 EESC-2025

Opinion type: Referral JOIN(2025) 135 final

Rapporteur: Milena ANGELOVA, Employers - GR I, Bulgaria

Date of adoption by the section: 7 November 2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 3-4 December 2025

Result of the vote in plenary: 186 in favour/1 against/3 abstentions

Contact

Millie Tsoumani

Press Officer, Email: amalia.tsoumani@eesc.europa.eu

Marie-Laurence Drillon 

Policy Officer, Email: Marie-Laurence.Drillon@eesc.europa.eu 

Work organisation