Question 31 July 2019 Julie Lenchanteux
Subject: VP/HR — Shipping safety in the Strait of Hormuz
The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a dangerous development as regards both the geopolitical situation in the region and maritime security, especially as 20% of the world’s oil, and 30% of LPG, is transported through the area.
Answer 17 September Vice-President Mongherini
The High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) spokesperson reacted swiftly to the seizure by Iranian authorities of two ships on 19 July 2019 in a statement expressing the EU's concern vis-à-vis rising tensions and potential escalation, and recalling the need for the principles enshrined in the Law of the Sea to be respected, in particular with regard to freedom of navigation. Those principles are referred to in the EU Maritime Security Strategy (2014) and the EU Global Strategy (2016).
The European External Action Service is following closely the different diplomatic initiatives aiming at ensuring freedom of navigation in the strait, which is of strategic importance for security of energy supply. Coordination between such initiatives is of utmost importance.
The HR/VP continues to engage with countries in the region on regional dialogue mechanisms. The objective is to help building confidence between regional actors, to reduce tensions more generally and to address the broader set of challenges facing the region, including maritime safety besides maritime security.
The EU is currently using diplomatic tools to lower the level of geopolitical tensions and contribute to the rule-based-order at sea, based on maritime multilateralism as well as respect for the rule of law.
