Romania and Bulgaria are in a direct race for the role of strategic hub in the Black Sea region for NATO, the US, and the European Union. Although Bulgaria is in political crisis, it is ahead of Romania on many issues, including in strategic terms, as it already has its own clear strategy.

This was stated by Romanian political scientist Alina Akim-Inaiye in an analysis for the newspaper Adevărul.

"There is competition between Romania and Bulgaria on a number of issues. And that is normal. The question is who will get the maritime security hub. We believe we deserve it, and I believe it too – but that is not enough.

We need to show why we are the most suitable. Perhaps the Bulgarians are doing it better. This needs to change," the expert said. Akim-Inaiye warned that Romania has not even managed to develop its own strategy for the Black Sea – 35 years after the fall of communism.

It is no coincidence that the country has failed to take advantage of either the US and EU strategies for the Black Sea basin or the tens of billions invested in them.

"First and foremost, Romania must develop its own strategy for the Black Sea – a strategy for security, economic development, and connectivity. A strategy that reflects everything the country wants to achieve or protect through the Black Sea. Only then will we be able to assess to what extent and which elements of the US and European strategies we can take advantage of. And to understand how they can help us in terms of security, the economy, and energy. Everything must start from there – from our own strategy, our own ambition, our own goals. Secondly, we need to see whether the EU will back its strategic elements with real funds from Brussels. This has always been a problem. If there is money, Romania must make the most of it," the political scientist added. She pointed out that there is currently around €75 billion “on the table” that the EU could invest in its Black Sea security strategy, but stressed that this amount is insufficient.

“Of this €75 billion, part is earmarked for connectivity and military mobility. It is not clear how much Romania and Bulgaria will receive. The funds will not go only to these two countries. When you develop a strategy for the Black Sea, you also have to look at Greece and the Middle East.”

Akim-Inaiye said that for Romania, the Black Sea strategy must be inextricably linked to the Danube:

“We cannot defend the Black Sea without the Danube, nor Romania without the river. The two are closely linked.” | BGNES