The European Commission is allocating an additional €10 million to the Romanian authorities for Black Sea search and rescue operations, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday at a joint press conference with President Nicusor Dan.

This initiative strengthens the European Union's capacity to respond to crises at its borders, the head of the EU executive explained.

Referring to recent incidents in the Black Sea, she said that €50 million have been allocated for the establishment of the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub to be managed by Romania and Bulgaria.

'Romania stands on the frontline of European security. You help protect our skies, our borders and the waters of the Black Sea,' Ursula von der Leyen stressed.

The President of the European Commission emphasized the need to strengthen the Romanian authorities' capacity to respond to crisis situations.

'We need to strengthen our capacity to respond to crises on our borders. The horrific recent incidents in the Black Sea are a key example. Today, I am pleased to announce an additional €10 million in funding to Romanian authorities for search and rescue operations. This will support your capacity to respond to such incidents rapidly and effectively,' the European Commission President said.

Von der Leyen also announced that efforts to render the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub operational would be sped up.

'We will now fast-track the work on the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, with a clear timeline for completion, and dedicated funding of €50 million,' she said.

The European Commission President warned that security challenges in the region have intensified recently and that 'the skies over the Black Sea have darkened'.

'Thank you, on behalf of our Union, for helping keep Europe's eastern flank safe. Romania stands on the frontline of European security. You help protect our skies, our borders and the waters of the Black Sea. And you are a crucial partner for both your fellow EU Member States and NATO. I saw this commitment first hand last year, when I visited the military port of Constanta and the Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase. Since then, unfortunately, the security challenges we face have only grown. The skies over the Black Sea have darkened, particularly in recent weeks with drone attacks targeting commercial ships off your coasts. Innocent sailors having lost their lives, others are still missing at sea. My thoughts today are with their families and loved ones. And I want to express Europe's full solidarity with Romania; we stand with you. So, you can count on a strong and united European response,' Ursula von der Leyen said.

The European Commission President called for freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to be restored and maintained.

'It is a vital trade route for Europe, for Ukraine's economy and for global food security. It keeps food supplies flowing to millions of people who depend on them,' Ursula von der Leyen noted. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)