Bulgaria's foreign ministry has expressed solidarity with Romania after a fire on the ship Yara J in the Black Sea. It posted its statement on X.

The cargo ship, which flies the flag of the Comoros, was anchored in Romanian territorial waters when it caught fire late yesterday, the Romanian Naval Authority said. The crew was evacuated. Romanian defence minister Radu Miruta said it is still unclear whether a drone hit the ship.

Another fire broke out this morning on the Wide Trader, which flies the flag of San Marino, about 13 nautical miles south-east of Sulina, Agerpres reported. Eight people are missing. Digi24 said it is also unclear in this case whether a drone hit the ship. The TV channel also reported that drones were detected overnight near Sulina and around Ukraine's Snake Island, close to the Romanian coast, and that fighter jets were sent up against a group of drones.

"The repeated incidents affecting commercial shipping in the region are a cause for deep concern," the Bulgarian foreign ministry said. It said close cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania is essential for the safe passage of ships and will be one of the main priorities in the coming talks at the European Council.

Prime minister Rumen Radev spoke on arriving in Brussels for the two-day European Council meeting. "This unacceptable aggression against civilian ships in the Black Sea must stop," he said. He has spoken with Romania's prime minister and will talk to the Romanian president today.

Radev proposes a joint initiative to support the efforts of Romania and Bulgaria, and says Turkey, as a NATO member, could take part. He said the aim is for the Black Sea to be free of attacks on commercial and civilian ships.

The circumstances of the fire on the Yara J will be investigated.