Sixty countries on Monday backed a declaration pledging to uphold freedom of navigation and oppose the introduction of tolls or fees on international shipping routes.
More than 60 countries supported a declaration on Monday pledging to work to preserve freedom of navigation and opposing the introduction of tolls or fees through straits used for international navigation.
The pledge seeks to protect freedom of navigation under international law. It also warns against measures that could restrict the movement of commercial ships through straits used for international navigation.
EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas announced the initiative, saying countries must oppose attempts to turn international shipping routes into sources of revenue or political leverage.
“Today, 60 countries pledged to oppose tolls or fees on international shipping routes by joining our “No Fees, No Tolls” global pledge,” Kallas wrote on X.
“This is a clear diplomatic signal to all those who seek to hijack waterways for their own gain. I want to thank all the countries who signed up and invite others to join us.”
The declaration, announced by the European Union on Monday, comes amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
Several EU foreign affairs ministers welcomed the EU-led “no fees/no tolls” pledge to protect international shipping lanes and oppose unilateral fees, tolls, or restrictions that hinder freedom of navigation.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council on Oct. 12 addressed the escalating tensions in the Gulf and the Red Sea, including the attacks against Saudi Arabia and the disruption of maritime security and freedom of navigation, notably in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
They also underlined the need to restore freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including through the EU’s maritime security operations, notably EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, and discussed the need to strengthen its capabilities.
“Keeping the Red Sea open is in Europe’s strategic interest,” said EU foreign affairs chief Kallas. “International waters, the arteries of our economy must remain open to everyone, not whoever can pay.”
EU’s Kallas says Aspides naval mission needs more than 10 warships
The European Union’s Aspides naval mission is under growing pressure, with Kallas saying the force needs more than 10 warships as demand for commercial vessel escorts increases.
“First on ASPIDES, we need at least 10 ships, and we are not there,” Kallas told reporters in a press conference on Monday.
She said the issue is being discussed within the member states, and this will materialise in ships.
“But today, we also heard from a few Member States that the discussion is ongoing because of the procedures within the Member States. I hope that this will materialise in ships that this Operation actually needs,” EU foreign affairs chief emphasized.
“Because if we want to be a credible security provider in the region then we need to have a credible mission, and for that we need more ships. And that was also the ask from the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia yesterday,” she said.
