However, there is still work to be done until the issue is brought to ministerial level, probably in February. After that, the mission’s launch would take several weeks, until early spring.
European Union member states are working to agree on their own naval mission, which will see three frigates deployed to the Red Sea, the scene of recent tensions following the wave of Houthi attacks on international cargo ships In response to the Israeli massacre in Gaza, Spain once opposed reorientation ‘Atalanta’ missionwhich operates in Somalia, to attend the meeting American mission ‘Guardian of Prosperity’ announced at the end of the year.
Several diplomatic sources have indicated that discussions are already underway at the Twenty-Seven level to “launch a new mission specifically aimed at promoting stability and free navigation in the Red Sea”, although they warn that work remains to be done. store until the matter is resolved. is elevated to the level of ministers, probably in February.
The operation would involve the deployment of three frigates and, as confirmed, would initially last a year. The aim of the new mission would be “to escort and protect merchant ships passing through the… Street Bab el Mandeb“, as explained by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Policy, Joseph Borrelllast week at a conference in Lisbon.
After a first week of contacts between Member States, without any country raising any obstacles to the approval of the mission, the EU Military Committee, composed of representatives of the Twenty-Seven, is expected to make recommendations on the concept and military plans of the new mission.
In any case, Borrell’s idea is to speed up the process as much as possible and reach a political agreement already at the meeting of EU foreign ministers next week January 22 That would be impossible, the sources underline, who indicate that the decision will go to the February meeting.
For us, the period of force formation would come, in which the interested Member States would offer their contributions to the European missions, so the launch of the mission would take a few weeks, until early spring.
Despite the optimism of European diplomacy to launch the mission as soon as possible, such a decision is taken unanimously by the Twenty-Seven and after overcoming several technical steps.
Discussions about a new EU naval operation in the Red Sea coincide with the attacks by the United States and Great Britainwith the support of community partners such as Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. As for whether the scenario in the region benefits or harms the new mission, there are those in Brussels who think that the increase in tensions could lead to the Twenty-Seven “accelerating decision-making”.
The EU is at this point after Spain blocked Borrell’s original proposal to expand the mandate of the ‘Atalanta’ mission, which has been focused on fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia since late 2008. The government of Pedro Sánchez He was against itin a last-minute twist.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
