Eight European Union member states have decided to set up a naval surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced Monday after a meeting of the bloc鈥檚 foreign ministers.
The initiative came from France, whose government stressed the need for action due to 鈥渞ising instability and insecurity鈥� in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz 鈥渨hich resulted in numerous maritime and non-maritime incidents.鈥�
The French Foreign Ministry said the situation 鈥渉as been affecting the freedom of navigation and security of European and non-European vessels and crews鈥� and 鈥渉as been jeopardizing trade and energy supplies.鈥�
The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Greece decided to join the 鈥渃oalition of the willing,鈥� making it possible for EU member states to take further foreign policy steps without the unanimous support of the entire bloc.
鈥淓urope is taking back control,鈥� France鈥檚 top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters after the meeting.
鈥淓urope is not only able to make its voice heard but shows that it indeed has the tools to act.鈥�
Earlier this month, the U.K. announced it was sending two warships to the Persian Gulf in response to rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran after the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Last year, EU member states rejected a proposal by the U.S. on establishing a joint mission in the region despite several incidents between Iranian and British vessels and threats by Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Borrell pointed out that the European-led mission is different from the American initiative and is an important 鈥渃ontribution to de-escalation in the region as it is to ensure a safe navigation environment.鈥�
France, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands have already pledged concrete operational support while the United Arab Emirates will host the headquarters of the operations.
By Agnes Szucs in Brussels
Anadolu Agency
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