Romania is taking over the command of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group (MCM BS TG) for the next six months, the Naval Staff informs on Monday.

The command of the task group, to which the navies of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey contribute, is being taken over from the Bulgarian partners, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the MCM Black Sea, signed on January 11, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey.

'During the mission, two activations of the MCM BS TG will take place, during which the ships of the group will participate in international exercises in the Black Sea. The Romanian Naval Forces will participate with the minelayer and net-laying vessel 'Vice-Admiral Constantin Balescu' - 274, which will be the commanding ship of the naval group, and with the minehunter 'Sub-Lieutenant Ion Ghiculescu' - M-270, and the Bulgarian and Turkish Naval Forces will each contribute with a ship with capabilities to combat sea mines,' according to the press release sent by the Naval Staff.

The main mission of the MCM Black Sea TG is to ensure freedom of navigation in the waters of the Black Sea, through surveillance missions, actions to neutralize possible dangers to maritime traffic, as well as related search and rescue activities at sea.

The change of command ceremony of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Force will be organized by the Romanian Naval Forces on July 9, in the port of Constanta, at the passenger terminal. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Nona Jalba, EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)