NEWS

Turkey is set to implement MONTREUX CONVENTION on naval passage through two of its strategic straits, which would allow them to limit the movement of Russian warships between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

WHAT IS THE MONTREUX CONVENTION?

• Gives Turkey certain control over the passage of warships from the Dardanelles and Bosphorus Straits that connect the Aegean, Marmara, and Black Sea.
• In peace time, warships can pass the straits by prior diplomatic notification with certain limitations on the weight of the ships and arms they carry
• At times of war, Turkey can bar the passage of the warships of belligerent parties from crossing.
• According to the convention, if Turkey is a party to the war or considers itself threatened with imminent danger, it can shut down the straits to the passage of warships.

IMPORTANCE OF THE STRAITS

• The Bosporus and Dardanelles straits are also known as the Turkish Straits or the Black Sea Straits
• Only passage through which the Black Sea ports can access the Mediterranean and beyond
• Over three million barrels of oil, about three per cent of the daily global supply, mostly produced in Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, pass through this waterway every day
• Also ships large amounts of iron, steel, and agricultural products from the Black Sea coast to Europe and the rest of the world

Could Turkey block Russian warships?

• Russia’s location on the Black Sea complicates the situation
• Article 19 of the treaty contains an exception for the countries on the Black Sea that can effectively undermine Turkey’s power in blocking the Russian warships