The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on the EU to consider a naval operation in the Black Sea following recent drone attacks on commercial shipping. The resolution was approved by 432 votes to 52, with 88 abstentions.
MEPs also criticised the Bulgarian government's response to the Russian threat, expressing concern over Sofia's handling of the situation and its weak diplomatic response to Moscow.
The resolution praises Bulgarian and Romanian maritime rescue services, border police and passing merchant ships for their swift assistance to those affected by the attacks.
It calls on EU member states, working with NATO, to help Bulgaria and Romania detect and track hostile drones threatening shipping in the Black Sea. MEPs also want the EU to press ahead with plans for a maritime security centre and use unspent funds from the SAFE defence financing instrument to support the two countries.
The European Parliament also expressed regret over Bulgaria's delay in joining NATO's counter-drone initiative and called on the government to formally confirm its participation by 30 October.
Eight of Bulgaria's 17 MEPs voted in favour of the resolution, BNR's Brussels correspondent Angelina Piskova reported.
Editor: Diana Tsankova
English editor: Elizabeth Radkova