BRUSSELS, March 20. /TASS/. The EU summit did not make any decisions regarding military support for the US in the conflict with Iran, limiting itself to a general call to increase the number of ships in EU missions off the coast of Somalia and in the Red Sea, but without extending their mandate to the Strait of Hormuz, the joint statement on the Middle East said.
"[The EU summit] highlights the role of the EU maritime defensive operations Aspides (in the Red Sea) and Atalanta (off the coast of Somalia), and calls for their reinforcement with more assets, in line with their respective mandates," the document stated.
The statement contains only a general condemnation of actions that "violate freedom of navigation" or "prevent vessels from entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz." On this matter, EU countries limited themselves to stating that they "welcome the increased efforts announced by member states, including through strengthened coordination with partners in the region, to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once the conditions are met."
The statement makes no mention of the possibility of extending the missions' mandate to the Strait of Hormuz, as previously proposed by the EU diplomatic service, nor does it mention any other forms of support for the US.
