The militarization of the Azov Sea may lead to destabilization of the situation in the Black Sea region, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday.
BRUSSELS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) The militarization of the Azov Sea may lead to destabilization of the situation in the Black Sea region, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday.
Mogherini said that Russia had recently started deploying its military vessels "in significant numbers" in the Azov Sea, and Ukraine responded by boosting its buildup as well.
"The militarization of the Azov Sea is in no one's interest and can only destabilize the delicate security situation in the wider Black Sea region, and let me remind us all that the Black Sea is a European sea, and we don't want to witness yet another military buildup in our immediate reach," Mogherini said at the European Parliament's plenary session.
She added that the European Union would continue pushing for the respect of the international law.
Mogherini also slammed Russia for imposing new inspection regime for cargo vessels in the Azov Sea, claiming that this had "direct consequences" for shipping costs not only for Ukrainian exporters but also for the vessels of the EU member states.
According to Mogherini's claims, around 2,000 vessels under Ukrainian and EU flags have been affected by the new inspection regime.
This spring, the Russian-Ukrainian relations, which have already been tense, have deteriorated even further over the Azov Sea, bordered by both countries. In March, the Ukrainian Border Guard Service detained a Crimea-registered vessel Nord with its 10-strong crew in neutral waters of the Azov Sea. Moscow has demanded the immediate release of the crew and the return of the vessel to its legitimate owner. In April, the captain was released on bail, while two crew members managed to return to Russia, and the others are still in Ukraine, on the territory of the Russian Embassy in Kiev. Following the incident, the Russian authorities have pledged to enhance security along the Crimean Peninsula's borders.
Since then, Kiev has been accusing Moscow of blocking the passage of foreign ships going through the Kerch Strait connecting the Azov Sea with the Black Sea, for inspecting them without specifying the reasons. According to the Crimean border protection department of the Russian Federal Security Service, checks of foreign vessels crossing the strait are carried out in accordance with the international law of the sea.
In mid-September, Kiev announced its intention to strengthen its military presence in the Azov Sea and create a naval base in the region.
