Thank you, and good day everybody.  

Before updating you on the college meeting, I will raise two issues. 

First, today, the EU and NATO hold a Chinese state-backed actor responsible for a malicious cyber-campaign against the Czech Republic. This attack is an unacceptable breach of international norms. The EU will not tolerate hostile cyber actions, and we stand in solidarity with the Czech Republic. 

Then, on the Middle East, the situation in Gaza remains dire. Israel’s strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas. Bypassing the UN in aid deliveries undermines humanitarian principles. And incidents challenging the special status of Jerusalem risk further escalating tensions.  

Now, turning to the College meeting. First, we discussed the EU Strategy for Start-ups and Scale-ups. Executive Vice-President Stephane Séjourné and Commissioner Zaharieva will join you in the press room later after this conference is over to present this initiative. 

We also appointed Elisabeth Warner as Director-General for the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI). The date of effect is 1^st of June 2025. The Spokesperson’s service will publish further details on this. 

Today, we also adopted a technical, but important, proposal to make EU aid tools more user-friendly. This includes simpler rules for faster and more accessible loans. We also propose moving surplus funds across guarantee funds. 

Commissioner Síkela will provide details on this, but the key point is that this could unlock several hundred million euros for external investment and aid.  We had a discussion on Monday with development Ministers in the Foreign Affairs Council regarding these issues, and how to really do more.  

The second proposal today is a Joint Communication on the Black Sea.  

The Black Sea region is of great strategic importance to the European Union because of the connection between Central Asia and Europe. It is important because of security, trade, and energy. 

Also, the region’s countries are strengthening their ties with the European Union. Again, the feel of geopolitical shifts is there.  

Ukraine and Moldova are moving towards membership of the EU. Georgia too, if it returns to the
EU path. And Türkiye is an EU partner of strategic importance and a candidate country. 

But the region’s potential is marred by Russia’s war. Recurring airspace violations and attacks on ports and shipping lanes highlight this reality.  

Commissioner Kos will address other elements, but on security, our focus is on three priorities:  

First, we are proposing a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub. This hub will be Europe’s early warning system in the Black Sea. It will enhance situational awareness and help protect critical infrastructure, like offshore installations and subsea cables. The Hub could also help monitor any peace between Russia and Ukraine. In parallel, we will put greater efforts into demining, that is also a very big threat in the Black Sea. Programmes such as the EU’s Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund can help map the threat posed by mines.   

Second, military mobility. We propose additional upgrades of regional ports, railways, roads, and airports to handle heavy military gear. Upgrades will help ensure troops can be where they are needed, when they are needed. Getting equipment to the region faster strengthens deterrence and also supports NATO. Alongside upgrades, we want better screening of foreign owners in ports and key facilities.  

The third point is on hybrid threats. The Black Sea region is the prime target for hybrid actions. The European Union aims to boost cooperation to combat cyberattacks, disinformation, and other hostile actions. We will invest in Artificial Intelligence to fight disinformation, promote media literacy, and enhance fact-checker networks. 

Once again, the security of the Black Sea is vital also to European security. 

Thank you.