Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated the European Union could initiate talks with the United States concerning the potential repurposing of EU missions in the Middle East to ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Sikorski Addresses Kallas’ Suggestion
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking in Brussels, responded to a suggestion from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, that the EU could modify the mandates of its existing Middle Eastern missions to facilitate the restoration of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Sikorski noted that US President Donald Trump had requested assistance from NATO, but several NATO members 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 maintains 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, located in the Red Sea, is a response to the threat posed to tankers by Houthi militants from Yemen.
Potential Dialogue with the US
Sikorski expressed his belief that initiating a dialogue with the US regarding potential temporary adjustments to these missions, as suggested by Borrell, would be beneficial once peace is established. He emphasized the need to alleviate the significant congestion on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz.
He stated, “Personally, I believe and I have expressed that it would not be bad to enter into a dialogue with the American side about hypothetical possible transformations of these missions, in accordance with the suggestion of the High Representative – for the time when peace prevails. It will be necessary to clear these gigantic traffic jams that are on both sides of the strait (Ormuz).”
