German Foreign Ministry: Expanding the "Aspides" operation to the Strait of Hormuz may not solve shipping issues
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed skepticism about the EU Navy's "Aspides" escort operation potentially expanding to the Strait of Hormuz to restore shipping, as she questioned the effectiveness of the operation.
Earlier reports by the Financial Times stated that the EU had proposed expanding the "Aspides" maritime security mission to the Strait of Hormuz.
According to sources from the newspaper, this proposal has not yet been approved.
Baerbock said in an interview with German ARD TV: "I am very doubtful whether expanding the 'Aspides' mission to the Strait of Hormuz would bring more security for shipping."
She acknowledged that the effectiveness of the mission is questionable.
She pointed out: "We have seen that a large part of the trade transport vital to Europe must pass through the Red Sea, but this is not possible because the 'Aspides' operation is inefficient."
The German foreign minister also said that discussions are ongoing within the EU on this issue. She said: "We certainly will not make any decisions on this tomorrow."
However, Baerbock did not explicitly state whether the German authorities would agree to the participation of the German navy if the mission were expanded to the Strait of Hormuz.
Previously, Reuters reported that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced the strengthening of the EU Navy's "Aspides" operation in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean. AFP cited sources saying that two French warships will soon join the operation.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859782891317248/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.