The security of the Black Sea is essential not only for Romania and the littoral states, but also for the whole of Europe and for international trade, Romania's President Nicusor Dan said on Wednesday.

He brought to mind in a post on social media that following last week's meeting in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, the North Atlantic Council met on Tuesday to assess the latest developments at the Black Sea and to discuss concrete measures to consolidate security and protect navigation, trade and energy infrastructure.

'Romania brought to the table the direct message that we expect stronger support through additional counter-drone, surveillance, reconnaissance and forensics capabilities, and a further adapted and strengthened NATO posture in the region. These are essential to protecting lives, global trade and critical infrastructure, and to keeping the Black Sea safe and open,' the Romanian head of state wrote on social media.

Moreover, Nicusor Dan highlighted the recent actions to combat drones in the Romanian airspace.

'Romania is doing its part, as on 17 October when two Romanian Air Force F-16s engaged and shot down two drones that had illegally entered our national airspace over Romanian territorial waters off Sulina. Both were neutralised within minutes of crossing into our airspace. I commend our pilots for their professionalism and speed of response. Romania's response will remain measured and firm, we will defend our airspace and territorial waters at all times, together with Allies,' the president conveyed.

He added that a clear conclusion of the North Atlantic Council meeting is that allied solidarity is 'rock solid.'

'The commitment to defend every inch of Allied territory, including our waters and airspace, is shared by the whole Alliance,' the president said.

NATO will deploy additional assets to the Black Sea following a series of drone attacks against commercial vessels, a spokesperson for the North Atlantic Alliance announced on Tuesday, according to AFP and Reuters.

'NATO has already strengthened our posture along the eastern flank, including with counter-drone capabilities. NATO will be sending additional assets to the region, including support for surveillance, reconnaissance, and forensics,' spokesperson Allison Hart wrote on the social media platform X. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)