The place of all independent nations and any other democracies is in Europe, said NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană at the Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimea Platform.

“The place of all these independent nations – from Georgia to Moldova, from Ukraine to Bosnia – and to any other democracy in Europe: if you choose so, to be with the Euro-Atlantic family, this dream will come true,” he said.

The NATO Deputy Secretary General went on to say that the Black Sea region had been the focus of Russia’s aggressive build-up and actions for more than two decades now. This aggression influenced Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.

He noted that Russia’s irresponsible and hostile behaviour in the broader Black Sea region was deeply affecting the security of the entire Alliance. For this reason, according to Mircea Geoană, last year, in Madrid, the leaders approved the Strategic Concept stating the strategic importance of the Black Sea.

“This is not just a piece of paper. This is a fundamental belief and action by our Alliance. We stepped up our presence in the region since 2014. We enhanced our cooperation partnership with Ukraine. And this is why our footprint after the full-blown war by Russia is increasing,” he said.