BlackSeaFor

Blackseafor or Black Sea Naval Task Force is a multinational maritime force created in 2001 for the tasks of search-and-rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, mine countermeasures, environmental protection and goodwill visits in the Black Sea. Members include Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia and Ukraine.

History

In 1998 former Turkish Navy Forces Commander, Salim Dervisoglu purposed a maritime force of the Black Sea nations. Dervisoglu brought his idea before experts and diplomats from the Black Sea states. The countries agreed to hold meetings with Black Sea Naval Commanders to plan an prepare for the operation. A total of ten meetings were held. In 2000 the Black Sea states signed a letter of intent and sent it to the Turkish government( which gained authority of th region through the Montreux Convention). The Turkish government agreed to the force and in 2001 the initiative became official. Later Russia joined the maritime force and its operations. In 2001, the most important document,"The Blackseafor Establishment Agreement," was signed and the initiative became official. In 2004, Russia called on other members to expand Blackseafor's current mandate to include counter terrorism. Critics claim that this was in response to the United States interest in expanding NATO's counter terrorism mission, Operation Active Endeavour, to the Black Sea. Members continue conduct regular training exercise and maritime missions. In the future countries hope to expand Blackseafor to take over the Turkey's counter terrorism initiative, Black Sea Harmony.