Security and Energy Security in the Black Sea Region

The briefing note examines security and energy security issues around the Black Sea from a regional perspective and assesses the potential of Black Sea cooperation to increase security in the region. It identifies several drivers for change in the Black Sea security environment, including the radical change in relations between Russia and Ukraine under Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency, the new Turkish foreign policy, a more active phase in all of the formerly-dubbed ‘frozen’ conflicts, a renewed focus on naval balance and maritime security and the race for control over the south-eastern route of gas supply into Europe. Threats are grouped into three kinds: those related to competition among the great powers in the region, the potential flashpoints which could at any time trigger a major crisis and the transnational threats and risks that are of concern to all the Black Sea countries (e.g. terrorism, state failure, organised crime). Regional cooperation can contribute towards containing these threats and risks and transforming the security environment around the Black Sea. The European Union can and should play a more active role in shaping this environment. The fact that the context is fluid and evolving opens up many opportunities for EU initiatives in security issues. For instance, an EUled initiative for breaking the isolation of the populations of non-recognised territories could contribute to a better regional environment; greater engagement with Russia and Turkey on Black Sea security issues could be further enhanced, and finally, the EU should make an effort to pursue its diversification of gas supply without contributing to tensions in the region.