Denmark is positive about having to contribute to ensuring the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. This is what Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M) says on his way to a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.
- I believe that we should have an open mind in relation to how we can contribute to keeping free navigation free. We did not want this war, and we have called for de-escalation, but having said that, we will have to look at how we can contribute, says Løkke.
However, he will not yet announce whether this should be done via a strengthened mandate for the EU's maritime "Aspides mission". That question is one of the topics at Monday's ministerial meeting. According to Løkke, Denmark is contributing "modestly" to "Aspides" with one staff officer at the headquarters.
- I am not standing here and can decide whether we should do more or less. But I look forward to discussing it with my colleagues, and I think that Denmark, as a major maritime nation, needs to be open about the issue, says Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
"Aspides" was originally created as the EU's naval operation in the Red Sea. It was launched in response to repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping in February 2024.
According to an EU official with insight into the mission, the ships in the "Aspides mission" do not have a mandate for direct military intervention in the Strait of Hormuz. By changing the current mandate from a so-called "non-executive task" to an "executive mandate" for the Strait of Hormuz, the "Aspides mission" can protect European ships that transport, for example, oil or fertilizer through the strait.
- Many in the shipping industry are demanding that "Aspides" be given an "executive mandate" so that they can protect the ships, says the EU official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Has not determined a position
However, Lars Løkke Rasmussen will not decide before Monday's meeting whether an extension of the mandate is the right solution.
- We will discuss the mandate today. I am very excited to hear what my colleagues say, says Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Therefore, no decision is expected at Monday's meeting, which comes a few days before the EU heads of state and government gather for a summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Iran announced that it will close the waters in retaliation for the US and Israel's attacks on Tehran. Since the announcement, Iran has attacked several ships in the area. This has caused the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil to rise to over $100. A level not seen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Therefore, there is increasing pressure from both the US, Asia and European countries and companies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The situation prompted US President Donald Trump to push for Britain, France, China and Japan to send ships to the area to protect oil transport over the weekend.
Although Europe may end up having to clean up after the US attack on Iran, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says there is a need to look at what Europe can contribute.
- The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is really dangerous for oil supplies and for the supply of fertilizer. If there is a shortage of fertilizer this year, we will see a food shortage next year, said Kaja Kallas on the way to Monday's meeting.
/ritzau/
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