The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, stated this Wednesday that the European Union would decide on implementation this Wednesday a maritime security missionin the Red Seachristened “Aspides”, in which Spain announced that it would not take part.
In statements to the media upon his arrival at the informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels, Borrell indicated that this was one of the issues they will address at the meeting “The security challenge in the Red Sea is the creation of a new European Union naval mission” to participate in securing maritime traffic against attacks by the Houthi militias in Yemen.
“I’m sure a decision will be made.. Not all Member States will be willing to take part, but I hope that no one will oppose it. “Anyone who doesn’t want to participate should simply resign,” he emphasized. The High Representative hoped that “the mission can be launched on the 17th of this month”, in which Spain has announced that it does not want to participate Respect: The Minister of Defense Margarita Robles is attending the meeting but did not give one upon her arrival explanations.
“We have to decide which country will take command of the armed forces, Where will the headquarters be and what will be the naval resources? that Member States will do their part,” noted Borrell. “You know that ‘Atalanta’ is in Spain, that it has taken command, the headquarters is in Rota, in Spain, and it depends on who will take command.” New mission. The location of the headquarters is determined.
“I hope that this will be decided today and that this operation in the Red Sea will have a name, “Aspides” means protectorand that is the purpose, to protect the ships, to intercept enemy attacks and ships, not to engage in any kind of action against the Houthis, but only to block the Houthis’ attacks on the ships,” he explained.