The Black Sea Nexus: Security, Connectivity and Economic Resilience
High-level roundtable in Varna unites institutions, academia, and business around the future of the Black Sea region
Varna, 20 November 2025 — A high-profile roundtable titled “The Black Sea Nexus: Security, Connectivity, and Economic Resilience” took place today at the Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel in Varna. The event was organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Bulgaria in partnership with the Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities (UBBSLA) and the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The forum brought together representatives of local authorities, business leaders, and academic experts to discuss the transformation of the Black Sea region in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Opening Addresses
Participants were welcomed by:
Norbert Beckmann-Dierkes, Director of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Bulgaria
Nedyalko Nedelchev, Honorary Consul of Germany and France in Varna
Prof. Dr. Adriana Andreeva, Governor of Varna Region
Captain I rank Prof. Dr. Nedko Dimitrov, Dean of the Faculty of Navigation at the Naval Academy
Mrs. Mariana Ivanova, Executive Director of the Association of Bulgarian Black Sea Municipalities
In their statements, the speakers emphasized the strategic importance of transforming the Black Sea from a zone of instability into a center of security, connectivity, and economic opportunity.
Key Themes and Expert Insights
Captain I rank Prof. Dr. Nedko Dimitrov opened the event with a presentation highlighting the need for:
stronger regional cooperation,
modernization of maritime infrastructure,
and strategic responses to hybrid threats.
Security Panel
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siyana Lyutskanova, Head of the “National Security” Department at the Naval Academy, focused on:
the rising need for advanced monitoring and protection technologies,
the role of international partnerships,
and the impact of increased military activity in the Black Sea.
Resilience & Economic Development Panel
The second panel brought together experts from municipal, business, and academic sectors. Mariana Ivanova, Executive Director of UBBSLA, highlighted European projects that strengthen regional safety and connectivity. She presented Project HECTOR: enHancing protECTion Of touristic sites in euRope implemented with 17 European partners, which aims to develop a holistic approach to protecting tourism infrastructure across Europe. The project fosters collaboration between public authorities, private security companies, academic institutions, and local stakeholders by creating shared safety tools, protocols, and best practices.
Martin Iliev, Managing Director of wpd Bulgaria, examined energy security in the Black Sea region and the challenges and opportunities for Bulgarian businesses in the transition toward renewable energy.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miroslav Kamdjalov from the University of Economics – Varna provided an analysis of regional economic dynamics and underlined Bulgaria’s role as a strategic European partner.
Assistant Miroslava Robinson from the Technical University – Varna presented insights on how geopolitics and new technologies influence environmental and ecological security in the Black Sea basin.
The roundtable was moderated by Svetozara Stoilova, Project Manager at Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Bulgaria.
Conclusion
The forum concluded with a shared commitment: continued dialogue and cooperation between state institutions, local authorities, academia, and the private sector is essential to building a Black Sea region that is secure, competitive, and economically resilient.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Bulgaria reaffirmed its dedication to supporting initiatives that strengthen democratic governance, regional stability, and sustainable economic development.
