Talking to the EU about enhancing the Aspides naval operation, sending more ships and possibly expanding the mission to Straits of Hormuz for navigation protection.
The discussion opened in Brussels around the possible extension of the European naval operation EUNAVFOR Aspides in the Straits of Hormuz, following statements by Kaya Kalas, brings the strategic shift of the European Union on issues of maritime security and geopolitical influence back to the front. The possible expansion of the mission, in combination with developments in the Red Sea and increasing tensions in the Middle East, is indirectly linked also to the broader balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In particular, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaya Kalas, after the end of the Foreign Affairs Council of defence ministers in Brussels, said that “today there were member states that indicated that they would contribute more ships to Operation Aspides. So it is the best way forward,” but he did not reveal which countries.
The Strait of Hormuz is trapped in a grey zone
He pointed out that “EU naval operations in the region can play a vital role in restoring energy and trade flows. Operation Aspides is already making a substantial contribution to the protection of navigation in the Red Sea, but its activities could be extended to the Straits of Hormuz. This would only require a change in its mandate. “And if we need to amend the mandate to cover mine clearance activities, then we can do that,” she added.
As Ms. Callas explained, “the Strait of Hormuz is caught in a grey area between war and peace.” At the same time, she noted that “Operation Aspides could also contribute to the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to secure navigation in the Straits of Hormuz.” As he pointed out, “if the idea of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ is to involve states to ensure free navigation, then the Aspides mission can play an important role.”
On the rest of the agenda, the defense ministers discussed filling European gaps in defense capabilities and called for faster production of weapons systems. The discussion also included representatives of the defence industry, who outlined the main obstacles to increasing production.
Finally, on the Ukraine issue, the EU is moving to strengthen the EU’s satellite centre to support ceasefire monitoring, track Russia’s shadow fleet and help prevent circumvention of sanctions, with Ms. Callas saying that “we are taking forward our work on EU security guarantees to Ukraine when there is a ceasefire.”
