REGIONAL INITIATIVES AIMED AT ENHANCING SECURITY
IN THE BLACK SEA MARITIME DOMAIN

      The world is going through tough times as the emerging asymmetric security risks affect dramatically nearly every region of the world. Despite the negative developments that have taken place throughout the world in the wake of the Cold War, the Black Sea region has remained relatively calm. However, quite important political developments have taken place in this region. The provisions of the Montreux Convention as well as the good level of cooperation among the littorals in the Black Sea through regional initiatives such as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the Black Sea Naval Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR) and the Black Sea Confidence and Security Building Measures (Black Sea CSBMs) were central factors in stabilizing the region. Each of these initiatives provided a remarkable contribution to the preservation of a stable climate in the region.

      The Black Sea region has a unique geography, being a semi-closed sea bordered by six nations. Aside from some river lanes providing limited access to and exits from the Black Sea, its only connection to the open seas is through the Turkish Straits, which provide favourable conditions for the control of maritime traffic. This unique geography of the Black Sea entails many advantages for littoral nations by enabling them to counter illegal maritime trafficking without interfering with the legal trade respectful of International Law and without imposing politically and economically unacceptable implications on the routine maritime traffic.

      Whereas controlling the ships sailing in the open seas is subject to many legal provisions, and involves some practical difficulties, any ship entering or operating in the Black Sea may go through any type of security checks in its port of embarkation or debarkation without disrupting commercial activities. The only prerequisite for achieving and maintaining this state of undisruptive control while providing full security and safety is the unconditional co-operation of all littoral States. Once this level of cooperation is reached, information exchange among the respective States and Organizations will enable littoral States to focus on suspect ships exclusively, thus saving time and resources without restraining other ships conducting legal activities.

      Another unique advantage existing in the Black Sea is the BLACKSEAFOR, which is an invaluable asset for fostering peace and security in the region through constructive consultations, co-operation and its established mechanisms. BLACKSEAFOR forms a unique coalition of equals united around a common goal, regardless of their background, the length of their shoreline on the Black Sea, or the extent of their contribution to the force.

      The BLACKSEAFOR Political Consultation Group Meetings and the occasional BLACKSEA NAVAL COMMANDERS Meetings (BSNC) that have been taking place since the beginning of 2004 have further strengthened the mutual understanding among the participants towards the utilization of BLACKSEAFOR as an adequate tool to counter illicit trafficking and asymmetric risks and possible threats in the region.

      In this context, a new process envisaging the utilization of the BLACKSEAFOR for maritime security tasks continues. All of the Black Sea littorals have expressed their will and intention for these efforts as a result of the three High Level Representatives meetings of the BLACKSEAFOR at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers or Under Secretariats since 2004.

      While the efforts towards identifying the modalities of the employment of BLACKSEAFOR as a tool for littoral States to deal with illicit trafficking in drugs, arms and human beings as well as the proliferation of WMD are being pursued, Turkey has launched OPERATION BLACK SEA HARMONY (OBSH) in its territorial waters and beyond in the Black Sea on 01 March 2004.

      Though OBSH has been a Turkish national maritime operation from its launch until the end of 2006, it is open to participation by all Black Sea littoral States. So far, it has been conducted by; Turkish frigates, fast patrol boats, submarines, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in the Turkish territorial waters and beyond in the Black Sea, and airspace above these areas. For the Turkish part, The Turkish Coast Guard and national port authorities has cooperated closely with Turkish Navy's units and ships assuming tasks in the OBSH. In addition, Negotiations and consultations with fellow littoral States have been continuing to ensure their participations.In this context, the participation process of Russian Federation was completed on 27 December 2006, and this country has been a participant to OBSH. On the other hand, participation work of Ukraine is about to be finished with the common protocol, which was signed on 17 January 2007 by the Navy Chiefs of Turkey and Ukraine.

      OBSH is entirely in line with the aims and objectives of NATO's OPERATION ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR (OAE) in the Mediterranean and is in close co-operation with OAE in terms of information sharing.

      Its mission is to randomly patrol the Black Sea, detect and trail those ships suspected of being involved in illegal activities. Once a suspect ship is detected, it is tracked by various means to its destination by combined efforts, and eventually handed over to relevant authorities for search, detention and prosecution if necessary.

      Since the introduction of the OBSH, thousands of ships have been detected and identified. Turkey believes this Operation has created deterrence against illegal activities and contributed to the safety and security of the ever-increasing volume of maritime trade in the Black Sea.

      Providing safety and security in our neighbourhood is a shared responsibility, which will in return enable all participants to get their share of the dividends of enduring peace and stability. Efforts towards enhancing the security environment through cooperation engender opportunities for increased consultations among the littoral States in order to help resolve possible disputed by peaceful means. Thus, security cooperation efforts in the Black Sea embodied in the BLACKSEAFOR constitute a promising initiative not only for promoting our common interests but also for contributing to the enhancement of " and security throughout the world.