In a joint press conference with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Türkiye's steadfast commitment to the provisions of the 1936 Montreux Convention, which governs the passage of ships through the Turkish Straits.

"We will continue to implement the Montreux Convention to the letter," Fidan declared, leaving no room for debate on this crucial issue. He further emphasized that maintaining peace in the Black Sea is a "fundamental priority" for Ankara, underscoring the potential risks of initiatives that could disrupt regional stability.

He further stressed the importance of maintaining calm in the Black Sea and preventing initiatives that could jeopardize it, emphasizing these priorities as fundamental for Türkiye as the enforcer of the Montreux Convention.

Fidan expressed contentment with the recent agreement between Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania to establish a Mine Countermeasures Naval Group in the Black Sea (MCM Black Sea). He highlighted this collaboration as an exemplar of regional security cooperation.

This firm stance on the Montreux Convention and active participation in regional security efforts come amidst heightened anxieties in the Black Sea region. The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to cast a long shadow, and concerns persist regarding the potential for increased maritime activity and its destabilizing consequences.

Against this backdrop, Türkiye's steadfast adherence to the Montreux Convention and its collaborative measures like the MCM Black Sea are seen as critical in upholding stability and mitigating risks in the volatile Black Sea region. (ILKHA)