On July 12, 2022, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, with U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), introduced new bipartisan legislation titled “Black Sea Security Act of 2022” directing the administration to develop a strategy toward the Black Sea region. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) are all cosponsors of the bill. The text of this bill lays the groundwork to increase the strength of coordination, trade, and security among the Black Sea nations, especially Romania. This legislation signals increased investment and economic expansion between the United States and Romania aiding Alianta’s partners and our core mission. Alianta fully supports the “Black Sea Security Act of 2022” and encourages its US and Romanian partners to provide their support to the bill and its vision.
The bill is available at: https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/news/press/shaheen-romney-unveil-new-bipartisan-bill-to-establish-us-strategy-toward-black-sea-region
Alianta has long championed efforts to strengthen the cultural, economic, and security ties between the United States and Romania. The Black Sea region is a strategically important area where Europe, the Middle East, and Asia intersect. It is a hub of geopolitical, cultural, and economic exchange. With 152 miles of coastline along the Black Sea and stretching nearly 390 miles into East Europe, Romania stands as a gateway for the economic strength and security of Central Europe.
On July 12, 2022, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, with U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), introduced new bipartisan legislation titled “Black Sea Security Act of 2022” directing the administration to develop a strategy toward the Black Sea region. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) are all cosponsors of the bill.
In a statement about the bill, Senator Shaheen stated, “Our bipartisan legislation urges the Biden administration to make U.S. policy in the region a priority by developing an interagency report, followed by a strategy, to enhance economic ties, strengthen democratic institutions and bolster military assistance and coordination between the U.S., NATO and Black Sea partners, among other provisions.” According to the language in the bill, the Black Sea partners includes the following six nations: Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
The bill cites the following reasons, among many others, as support to the establishment of a US Strategy:
• The Black Sea region has been a zone of increasing tension on conflict on the eastern border of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2008 military interventions in the Black Sea, 2008 invasion of the Republic of Georgia, 2014 and 2022 invasions of Ukraine.
• The Ukraine conflict has caused a food security crisis as 20 to 30 million tons of Ukrainian grain remain unable to export in an efficient and secure manner.
• The Russian Federation’s actions in and around the Black Sea have also disrupted secure, reliable access to energy resources throughout Europe.
Key recommendations from the bill include:
• It is in the interest of the United States to prevent the spread of further armed conflict in Europe by recognizing the Black Sea region as an arena of Russian aggression.
• The United States should also work with the European Union in coordinating a strategy to support democratic initiatives and economic prosperity in the region, which includes two European Union members and four aspiring nations.
• The United States should work to foster dialogue among countries within the Black Sea region to improve communication and intelligence sharing and increase cyber defense capabilities.
• There are mutually beneficial opportunities for increased investment and economic expansion, particularly on energy, climate, and transport infrastructure initiatives, between the United States and Black Sea states and the broader region.
• It is in the interest of the United States to support and bolster the economic ties between the United States and Black Sea partners.
The bill requires an interagency report from the administration, due not later than 120 days after the enactment of the bill, outlining existing efforts to support democracy, security, and economic prosperity in the Black Sea region with policy options for increased engagement.
An interagency strategy would be due 360 days following the passage of legislation to increase military assistance and coordination with NATO and the EU, deepen economic ties, strengthen democracy and economic security and enhance security assistance in the Black Sea region.
Alianta fully supports the efforts of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), in the creation of the “Black Sea Security Act of 2022.” The text of this bill lays the groundwork to increase the strength of coordination, trade, and security among the Black Sea nations, especially Romania. This legislation signals increased investment and economic expansion between the United States and Romania aiding Alianta’s partners and our core mission.
Therefore, Alianta endorses the “Black Sea Security Act of 2022” and encourages its US and Romanian partners to provide their support to the bill and its vision.
