Montreux Convention: Turkey States No Discussion on Amendments

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey will continue to adhere to the provisions of the Montreux Convention regarding the straits, emphasizing that making amendments to it is "not open for discussion." During a press conference held on Tuesday with her Bulgarian counterpart in Sofia, he said, "As the implementing party of the Montreux Convention, maintaining peace in the Black Sea and preventing initiatives that could jeopardize this peace are among our main priorities." He added, "We will continue to comply with the provisions of the Montreux Convention. The matter of making amendments to the agreement is not open for discussion nor even consideration." Regarding the memorandum recently signed by Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria to establish a maritime group for mine countermeasures in the Black Sea, Fidan confirmed that they have demonstrated this as a model case for regional and security cooperation, noting that they, as neighboring countries, see it as a step that aligns with the principle of regional ownership and the spirit of alliance. It is noteworthy that the Montreux Convention, signed in 1936, allows warships from non-coastal countries to pass through the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits, provided Turkey is notified of the passage 15 days in advance, and remains in the Black Sea for no more than 21 days.