BAS is a co-organiser of the international conference “The Black Sea and Eastern Europe: Key to European security”

The international conference “The Black Sea and Eastern Europe: Key to European Security” took place on 12 October at the Sofia Grand Hotel. The event was jointly organised by the European League for Economic Cooperation (E.L.E.C.) and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The conference was held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, and marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of E.L.E.C.

The forum brought together leading politicians, diplomats, academics, security experts, business representatives and technology specialists. The main aim of the discussions was to examine the evolving strategic role of the Black Sea as a critical link between Europe and Asia and as a key dimension of European security, resilience and economic prosperity.

The event was opened by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, and welcoming addresses were delivered by Prof. Dr Neli Koseva, Scientific Secretary-General of BAS, Javier Arias, President of E.L.E.C. International, and Prof. Branimir Botev, Vice President of E.L.E.C. International and President of E.L.E.C. Bulgaria. Opening addresses were delivered by representatives of the executive power, European institutions and international organisations, including the Minister of Defence, Dimitar Stoyanov; the Minister of Interior, Ivan Demerdzhiev; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Christo Polendakov; General Christophe Gomart – Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Security and Defence; Executive Coordinator of the Southеast European Cooperation Initiative (SECI) Michael Fazekas; Iliya Lazarov – Member of the European Parliament; Tsvetelina Borislavova – Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian-American Credit Bank; Prof. Dr Daniela Bobeva – former Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria; and Daniel del Valle Blanco – first Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the International Youth Organisation to the United Nations.

The main themes of the conference covered geopolitical developments, energy and financial security, the protection of maritime and critical infrastructure, as well as emerging and hybrid threats.

Security and stability in the Black Sea basin and the Balkans are not merely a regional issue but the very foundation upon which the entire European security system rests, said Prof. Neli Koseva, Scientific Secretary-General of BAS. In her address, she emphasised that the Balkans and the Black Sea were no longer on the periphery but rather the natural geographical, technological and strategic gateway to this global corridor. Without secure maritime routes and without robust connectivity here, the entire flow of economic activity between continents remains vulnerable, Prof. Koseva pointed out. Science today provides statesmen with the tools to anticipate and manage crises which are fundamental to the stability of the entire continent, she added. Full text of the speech.

The conference placed strong emphasis on the need to promote international cooperation and innovation. Participants agreed that joint action and partnerships are a crucial turning point for stability, the sustainable development of the blue economy and Europe’s future security, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and the European strategy for the Black Sea region.