This just a short primer on the Montreux Convention that regulates the passage of Merchant and warship through Turkish Straits. Signed on 20 July 1936, The Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits gives Turkey full control over the Turkish Straits, guarantees the free passage of civilian vessels in peacetime and permits Turkey to remilitarise the Turkish Straits. The aim of the Montreux Convention is to regulate the passage of civilian and military ships through the Turkish Straits. The term Turkish Straits covers the Dardanelles, Marmara Sea and the Bosporus. The Convention makes a clear differentiation between Black Sea countries ( Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine) and non-Black Sea countries. Merchant vessels enjoy a total freedom of passage through the Turkish Straits.

The Black Sea Countries:
- cannot pass warships solely designed to carry airplanes through Turkish Straits;
- can pass submarines if they are joining their base in the Black Sea for the first time after their construction or purchase, or if they are returning from a repair in dockyards outside the Black Sea;
- can pass their warships through Turkish Straits by notifying Turkey through diplomatic channels 8 days before the passage.

The Non Black Sea Countries:
- cannot pass warships solely designed to carry airplanes, submarines through Turkish Straits;
- can pass warships, but the aggregate displacement of the foreign warships in the Black Sea may not exceed 45.000 tons;
- cannot have more than 9 ships in the Black Sea at the same time;
- cannot hold their ships in the Black Sea longer than 21 days;
- can pass their warships through Turkish Straits by notifying Turkey through diplomatic channels 15 days before the passage.