The Bulgarian Government approved the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group Agreement (BLACKSEAFOR), which was signed in Istanbul on April 2, 2001, and moved it to the National Assembly for ratification. The purpose of the initiative, which includes the navies of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine, is to help the Black Sea countries strengthen their good-neighbour relations and mutual confidence through enhancement of cooperation and interoperability between their navies. After the agreement enters into force, BLACKSEAFOR will engage in search and rescue operations, humanitarian and sea mine cleaning missions, and environmental protection efforts, acting in full compliance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The Task Group will operate mainly in the Black Sea basin but, when necessary, will be deployable beyond that region as well.