Turkey will continue enforcing restrictions on the passage of military vessels through the Turkish Straits for as long as the war in Ukraine continues, in accordance with the Montreux Convention, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler has said.
Güler made the statement following a meeting in Bulgaria involving the defense ministers and chiefs of staff of Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, according to Ukrinform, citing the Turkish news agency DHA.
“Since the beginning of the war, Turkey has strictly adhered to the requirements of the Montreux Convention regarding Black Sea security, preventing the conflict from spreading to the wider region and minimizing its impact on the Black Sea,” Güler said.
“As long as the current situation continues, we will resolutely maintain the existing rules governing the passage of military vessels through the Turkish Straits,” he added.
The Turkish minister said the war had significantly affected security in the Black Sea, highlighting the importance of cooperation among the three coastal countries to protect maritime navigation.
Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania have already taken joint measures to improve maritime security and will continue implementing additional steps as necessary, based on regional responsibility and their available capabilities, Güler said.
Joint efforts to counter naval mines
Güler highlighted the threat posed by naval mines drifting through the Black Sea as a result of the war, saying that Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania were conducting mine-countermeasure operations involving their national naval forces and naval aviation.
The three countries have established the MCM BLACK SEA task group to coordinate efforts to address the threat and protect commercial shipping and other maritime traffic.
Beyond mine clearance, Güler stressed the need to strengthen protection for critical underwater infrastructure, which has become an increasingly important element of regional security.
Turkey reaffirms support for Ukraine
Güler also confirmed that Turkey had assumed command of the maritime component within the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine.
He said Ankara would continue contributing to efforts aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region.
The minister reiterated that Turkey had supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity since the beginning of the Russian invasion. At the same time, he said Ankara was maintaining open channels of dialogue with Moscow in an effort to prevent further escalation of regional crises.
Turkey’s approach combines support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity with the continued application of the Montreux Convention, which regulates the passage of warships through the Bosporus and Dardanelles.
The restrictions remain a significant factor in Black Sea security as the war continues and regional governments seek to limit its wider military and economic consequences.
