Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated the European Union could initiate talks with the United States about potentially repurposing EU missions in the Middle East to restore shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Sikorski Addresses Potential EU Involvement
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking in Brussels, indicated the EU could discuss with the US the possibility of adjusting the mandates of existing EU missions in the Middle East to facilitate the resumption of normal shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz.
This follows a suggestion from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, that EU missions could be adapted for this purpose.
US Request and Poland’s Position
Sikorski noted that US President Donald Trump had requested assistance from NATO, but several NATO countries had already responded. He clarified that Poland has no current plans to participate in such a mission.
Existing EU Missions in the Region
Sikorski highlighted that the EU already has two missions operating relatively close to the Strait of Hormuz. One mission, operating near the Horn of Africa, has been used to combat Somali pirates. The other, in the Red Sea, is a response to the threat to tankers from Houthi militants in Yemen.
Dialogue with the US
Sikorski expressed his belief that initiating a dialogue with the US regarding potential adjustments to these missions, as suggested by Borrell, would be beneficial, particularly once a period of peace is established. He emphasized the need to address the significant congestion on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz.