Black Sea Security Conference kicks off in Bucharest

This was reported by Ukrinform's own correspondent.

The first day of the conference on Wednesday was of an expert nature, held without media presence. Experts from Ukraine, Romania, and other participating countries of the Crimea Platform discussed the multidimensional impact of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine on the security situation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov region and the world, and possible responses to existing challenges and threats. During the main panel, the presentation of the study "Vision of a peaceful, secure and prosperous Black Sea region" took place, which is expected to become the basis for the discussion on Thursday with the participation of representatives of governments and international organizations. The conference participants paid special attention to the challenges posed by Russia's cyber and information wars for the security system in the region and the rest of the world.

The discussion during the expert day of the Conference wrapped up with the viewing of a short documentary novel within the framework of the Ukrainian film project "Culture vs War" about the Ukrainian actor and director Akhtem Seitablayev, who is currently defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Defense Forces. In addition, the evening's cultural program included a screening of the film "Sea. Battle for Snake Island" from Artem Shevchenko's documentary series "Military Intelligence of Ukraine: In the Sea, in the Sky, and on Land", dedicated to the de-occupation of the Ukrainian island strategically important for the Black Sea security. The screening was attended by both the director himself and one of the characters of the film - a helicopter pilot, Hero of Ukraine Yevhen Solovoyov, who participated in the storming of the island.

The second (official) day of the Conference began with commemoration of Ukrainians who fell victim to Russian aggression, and introductory remarks by the leadership of the Ministries of Defense and Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Romania and Ukraine. Three panel discussions will be held on Thursday: "Lessons Learned: The Russian Federation's Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine, Its Multidimensional Impact, and Lessons for the Democratic World," "Plan for Today: Immediate Response to Current Threats and Challenges in the Black Sea Region," and "Future Configuration: What's the Future" of regional security in the region of the Black and Azov Seas? Towards a Euro-Atlantic strategy for a stable, secure and prosperous region." They will be attended by ministers of foreign affairs and defense, secretaries of state, and other high-ranking government officials from the countries participating in the Crimea Platform, as well as the leadership of international organizations – NATO, the Council of Europe, GUAM, and the OSCE.

The Black Sea Security Conference started in Bucharest / Photo: Vasyl Korotkyi, Ukrinform

In addition, important bilateral and trilateral meetings will be held on the sidelines of the Black Sea Security Conference, in particular, a meeting in the format of the "Ukraine-Romania-Moldova" triangle.

Ukraine is represented at the First Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova and Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the organizers of the First Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform on April 12-13 in Bucharest are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, and Ministry of National Defense of Romania, in partnership with the Center for Defense Strategies (Ukraine).

According to First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova, the Black Sea Security Conference was actually the completion of the architecture of the International Crimea Platform. She reported that representatives of more than 50 countries and organizations take part in the event, which demonstrates the interest in security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov not only from the countries across the region, but also from the whole world.