“Blackseafor” as a model of the Black Sea region countries’ naval cooperation

Abstract

The strategic vacuum after the collapse of the Soviet Union gave rise to some alternative initiatives to maintain stability and peace in the Black Sea region. The article examines the unique “Blackseafor” cooperation model established by the agreement on the foundation of the Black Sea Naval Task Force; the paper also discusses the Black Sea Harmony Operation, aimed at deterring terrorism and asymmetric threats in the region. First of all, the emphasis is placed on the history of the cooperation model, its purpose, objectives and the role played by the “Blackseafor” in the system of regional security and inter-ethnic interaction. An attempt is made to explain the practical mechanisms of the naval cooperation, as well as of the reasons for curtailing the initiative and the role of the Republic of Turkey. It is concluded that the model was an exceptional example of how the navies of the same region countries with different geopolitical positions and foreign policy orientations can be brought together to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation. However, after the NATO’s fifth enlargement, the development of the “Blackseafor” was not supported by Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia, which were interested in the presence of the Alliance’s naval forces in the Black Sea, though the Russian Federation and Turkey continued obstructing that involvement.