Bulgaria and Romania will set up a Black Sea security hub in Varna and Constanta, foreign minister Velislava Petrova said during a visit to the Naval Academy (VVMU) in Varna. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot, whose title is minister for Europe and foreign affairs, was with her.

In Varna, the hub is planned at the academy. Petrova said the academy is the local partner, and Varna has the technical base and the experience needed.

The previous development: Bulgaria and France sign updated roadmap in Varna

The hub is part of a European approach to security in the Black Sea. When it took office, the government agreed a partnership with Romania on equal terms. It focuses on hybrid and cyber threats and on protecting the environment.

Work now centres on the technical side: how to set up the hub at the Naval Academy. The base must be expanded, and a way must be found to use all the information that will be collected.

Petrova added that support from France and at European level is important so that the project gets enough funding.