TBILISI, DFWatch-–The European Commission today announced its new Black Sea Strategy.

The plan envisages enhanced cooperation among littoral states, including members Romania and Bulgaria, and non-members Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

The initiative pledges €1.7 billion in funding for infrastructure, security, and other projects.

  • Maritime Security Hub: Aims to protect infrastructure, de-mine waters, and address environmental risks.
  • Connectivity Agenda: Expands transport, energy, and digital links to turn the Black Sea into a Europe-Central Asia trade corridor.
  • Coastal Resilience: Strengthens war and climate-related disaster response while promoting “sustainable” blue economy projects.

The move will be seen as part of Brussels’s broader push to expand its geopolitical footprint in a region where Moscow’s traditionally strong presence is waning, and while a war continues on the fourth year in Ukraine.

Apart from investments in new infrastructure, the plan emphasizes maritime security, energy diversification, and trade connectivity—issues on which the EU has repeatedly clashed with Moscow, particularly when it comes to the Ukrainian grain exports.