The External Relations Section (REX) of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in partnership with the Economic and Social Council of Romania, organized a conference on the topic “From Constanța to Varna: Promoting and paving the way for the practical implementation of EESC Opinion on the EU’s Strategic Approach to the Black Sea region” on May 11, 2026, in Constanța. The event, dedicated to promoting and facilitating the practical implementation of the opinion recently adopted by the EESC, was hosted by Ovidius University in Constanța. Representatives of European institutions, public authorities, academia, and civil society were present for a dialogue on regional cooperation, connectivity, and the strategic importance of the Black Sea region on the European agenda. 

The Romanian ESC President, Mr. Sterică Fudulea, participated in this event as a speaker. Vice President Bogdan Simion and Mr. Gabriel Olteanu, advisor to the National Union of Craftsmen’s Cooperatives (UCECOM), a member association of the Economic and Social Council, also represented the ESC at the meeting.

During the opening session, moderated by Mr. Ionuț Sibian, Vice-President of the External Relations Section (REX) and member of the EESC Opinion Drafting Group, the following speakers took the floor: Associate Professor Dan-Marcel Iliescu, Rector of Ovidius University in Constanța; Mr. Vergil Chițac, Mayor of Constanța; Ms. Ana Cristina Tinca, State Secretary for Strategic and Global Affairs; Mr. Sterică Fudulea, President of the ESC; and Ms. Milena Angelova, EESC rapporteur on the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea.

A panel discussion was also held with key stakeholders from the region, moderated by Ms. Elena Calistru, ECO section president, with the participation of representatives from the German Marshall Fund, Black Sea House, the Romanian ESC, and the EESC.

The participation of the Romanian ESC was all the more relevant given that the institution had drafted an opinion on “Public policies for the socio-economic strengthening of the Black Sea region and the European Union’s border regions” in 2025.

In his opening speech, President Fudulea emphasized that “the EU’s eastern border regions are experiencing the effects of the war differently than other parts of Europe. For Romania, the Black Sea region is essential from the perspective of national security, economic interests, and regional influence. The EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region and the EESC’s opinion represent important steps, but their implementation must be supported by funding programs dedicated to strengthening the EU’s border regions, including from a military, economic, and agricultural standpoint. At the same time, organized and representative civil society (employers’ associations, trade unions, and NGOs) must play an active role in monitoring and managing European funds, including through involvement in the decision-making process alongside state institutions, given its ability to connect public policies with economic and social realities and its experience in supporting social and civic dialogue.” 

The meeting aimed to strengthen dialogue between institutional actors and civil society, while also contributing to the definition of concrete directions for regional cooperation, in line with the recommendations formulated by the EESC for a more coherent European engagement in the Black Sea region. This initiative supports the implementation of the directions set out in the EESC opinion on the European Union’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region.