After ship attacks, European Parliament delegation to visit Sofia and Varna
MEPs Andrey Novakov and Emil Radev are bringing members of the EP security and defence committee to Bulgaria. A naval mission modelled on Aspides is proposed.
Symbolic image · Photo: Diliff / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
A European Parliament delegation will visit Sofia and Varna within the next two weeks following attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria's coast. The visit was initiated by GERB/EPP lawmakers Andrey Novakov and Emil Radev, GERB said. Members of the Security and Defence Committee will tour critical infrastructure related to public safety.
In a joint statement, EPP representatives expressed solidarity with Bulgaria and called for concrete Black Sea security measures. Novakov said the attacks are "no longer solely a Bulgarian problem" and require a common European response. Radev warned of risks to Bulgaria's economy and tourism and urged EU partners and NATO allies to help protect commercial shipping. One proposal is a European naval mission modelled on Aspides, with a defensive mandate to escort merchant vessels and their crews.