At the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), members discussed the opinion “The EU’s Strategic approach to the Black Sea – Local and regional dimensions”, highlighting the need for a stronger European strategy for the region. Speakers underlined the growing geopolitical tensions around the Black Sea, the continued war in Ukraine, and the importance of strengthening security, protecting critical infrastructure and ports, and improving energy connectivity across the region. At the same time, members stressed that environmental protection and sustainable development must remain key pillars of the EU’s engagement, and that local and regional authorities play a crucial role in implementing European strategies on the ground.
Borboly Csaba, Vice-President of Harghita County Council, stressed the strategic importance of the region for Europe’s future security and stability. “The Black Sea is not a periphery of Europe. It is a strategic region for the security and stability of our Union,” he said. Referring to the current geopolitical situation, he warned that “the war in Ukraine continues, and instability in the wider region reminds us how fragile security can be.” Borboly called for a stronger and clearer European strategy that combines political commitment with concrete action, including “stronger protection of critical infrastructure, transparent and secure ports, and better energy connections across the region.” He also underlined the importance of involving local and regional authorities in the implementation of EU policies and ensuring visible financial support for communities across the region.
Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR Group, welcomed the opinion and expressed strong support for the priorities raised during the debate. She particularly thanked the rapporteur for highlighting the role of the Sustainable Development Goals, noting that they reflect many of the report’s key priorities. Despite the challenging security context in the region, she welcomed the emphasis placed on environmental considerations. As she noted, environmental protection remains crucial even in times of geopolitical instability.