The second day of the Second Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform. Opening remarks
The second day of the Second Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform has started today in Sofia, Bulgaria, where participants are going to discuss the restoration and preservation of stability in the Black Sea and Azov region, Ukraine’s strategy in the battle for the Black Sea, and the participation of international organizations in ensuring the security of the region.
During the opening of the second day of the conference, Ms. Gergana Karadjova, Director General for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria; Stefan Dimitrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria; Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Atanas Zapryanov, Minister of Defence of the Republic Bulgaria; Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe; Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States, addressed the participants.
“Only Russia’s defeat and complete restoration of Ukraine’s solidarity and territorial integrity, will bring stability, security, and prospect of strong economic development to the Black Sea region. Ukraine can achieve such an outcome with sufficient support. To bring this moment closer we urgently require additional Patriot and other modern air defence systems, weapons and ammunition. I take this opportunity to once again urge all of our partners to take extraordinary and bold steps,” Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine appealed to the participants of the conference.
In his video message, he also called on NATO to adopt a separate security strategy for the region: “Dear friends, we must strengthen our security without second guessing the Russian position. What is required is a vision, strategy and persistence in common actions to achieve our shared goals. The Black Sea must become the sea of NATO, peace and stability. This is the strategy that the Alliance and the Entire Euroatlantic community must pursue. NATO’s Black Sea flange will serve as a solid wall of protection against Russian aggression and terror. NATO must actively implement the separate comprehensive and ambitious Black Sea strategy aimed at reducing Russia’s mean influence and increasing regional stability.”
Dmytro Kuleba emphasized: “Russia cannot be a partner in solving problems, because Russia is the problem. The story of Ukrainian grain exports vividly illustrates this. Ukraine’s actions in this situation were an excellent example of how to deal with Russia. We did not ask Moscow for permission and did not discuss with Russia how to solve the problems it created. Instead, Ukraine destroyed a large portion of the Russian Black Sea Fleet with naval drones, liberated Snake Island and resumed its grain exports without asking Russia for permission.”
Stefan Dimitrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, mentioned that Russian aggression was a direct attack on the principles and standards of the international community: “More than two years, the world is witnessing something unthinkable in the mind of the contemporary generation, a full scale war that constitutes a direct assault against the principles and norms that the international community has struggled for decades to establish and protect.”
He underlined that the daily murders and suffering that take place in Ukraine today are unimaginable in world history. And today, the Bulgarian people express their full support for people in danger and in need.
In his video message, Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organisation
of American States, called on the entire world to work as hard as possible to strengthen the world order: “We have also said that the invasion was a threat to peace and security of the entire planet, including the Western Hemisphere, as we saw Russia making inroads among autocratic regimes in the Americas.”
Luis Almagro noted that he welcomed the initiative of the Ukrainian government to organize the Ukraine-Latin America Summit 2024. According to him, the agenda of such an event should include issues of global security, human rights, and democracy: “We can also be allies in countering cyber threats and Russian disinformation and propaganda in both regions. Ukraine, America continues to stand with you.”
“Now that we are providing our support to Ukraine, we have to be honest about 10 years ago: the international community looked the other way, Ukraine was abandoned, and the warning signs or worse things to come were ignored.” Luis Almagro assured that the Organisation of American States will continue to support Ukraine on its path to freedom and independence.
Atanas Zapryanov, Minister of Defence of the Republic Bulgaria, emphasized that support for Ukraine will continue: “We will stay with Ukraine as long as it takes to win this war. This will be the focus of our defense policy during the mandate of our government.”
“We must be ready to ensure stability. The Russian aggression is the Kremlin’s ambition to ensure its revanchist strategy. It wants to regain control of the lost territory in Europe, and Russia is committing war crimes on the territory of Ukraine. And we must do everything to bring all those responsible to justice,” Atanas Zapryanov stressed. He emphasized that as a result of Russia’s brutal aggression, the world has seen that the war affects the security of the entire region.
Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State addressed the participants of the Second Black Sea Security Conference in a video format. In his speech, he emphasized that the United States should continue to support Ukraine because it is fighting for what the United States supports, a better life for its allies: “Ukraine must stand firmly on its feet.”
“One of the many reasons we must continue to support Ukraine is this is the affirmative vision Ukraine is fighting for. A region where countries can focus on unlocking the remarkable dynamism that results when they’re people can work together in peace on the issues that matter most to them.That’s why Ukraine success is vital to the future of the Black Sea region.That’s why the United States will continue to support Ukraine,” Antony Blinken stated.
In a video message, Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, emphasized that the Council of Europe will make every effort to ensure the sustainability of democracy, the rule of law and security in opposition to Russia’s authoritarian regime.
“The Black Sea basin is a meeting point and intersection of traditions and cultures, and its peace and prosperity are critical for all nations that live around it and far beyond. Russia’s temporary occupation and attempted seizure of Crimea signaled the end of an era. This invasion has turned into a brutal, aggressive war by Russia, which also undermines the territorial integrity of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The Council of Europe will make every effort to ensure the sustainability of democracy, the rule of law, and security in this region in opposition to Russia’s authoritarian regime,” the Secretary General of the Council of Europe underlined.