During a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, caretaker Bulgarian Defense Minister Stefan Yanev said that countering terrorism was becoming a task of paramount importance for NATO. In terms of security in the Black Sea region Yanev pointed out that additional measures have already been adopted. These include increased naval presence and more military exercises, as well as boosting situational awareness and improving coordination in the preparation of NATO naval forces in their interaction with the forces of other allies in the Black Sea.