Callas: The world needs an international coalition on maritime security
The threat of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as risks to communications and energy infrastructure in the Baltic and North Seas, underscore the need for joint international efforts to ensure maritime security.
This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, who spoke at the annual UN Security Council meeting dedicated to cooperation between the UN and the EU.
“Our collective security, protection, and prosperity are inextricably linked to what happens at sea. Maritime security underpins global communications, energy supply, and economic development,” Kallas said.
She emphasized that this sphere is becoming increasingly unstable.
“Whether we’re talking about the Baltic, North, or Red Seas, numerous straits, or the Indo-Pacific region, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is being deliberately undermined,” Kallas noted.
She believes that international cooperation at sea has not recently kept pace with the threats in this area.
“We must move faster,” the top EU diplomat urged.
“What is happening today in the Strait of Hormuz is the clearest call for the creation of a strong international coalition on maritime security,” Kallas believes.
Kallas emphasized that the main goals are to ensure the safe passage of all cargo through the Strait of Hormuz, and reiterated the position that the EU will continue to reject any agreements that restrict free and safe passage through the straits in accordance with international law.
She added that protecting freedom of navigation is not the only challenge, as undersea cables and pipelines have become targets of sabotage.
“For this reason, we must step up work on a new multilateral agreement to establish legal certainty and develop tools to combat such threats. Once we know what works, we must replicate these successful practices elsewhere,” Kallas said.
Kallas stated that security in the Strait of Hormuz must be a shared responsibility.
Kaja Kallas welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
Experts have calculated the U.S. costs of Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
As a reminder, the IRGC announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and is threatening a “harsh response” to ships.
