On the evening of Friday 12 January, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2722 of 10 January, which strongly condemns the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
A missile has hit a ship off the coast of Yemen, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Monday 15 January.
On the same day, the spokesman for the European External Action Service, Peter Stano, described the attacks as “completely unjustifiable”.
“The EU echoes the UN Security Council’s demand that these attacks, which impede global commerce and undermine navigation rights as well as regional peace and security, cease immediately”, he announced in a statement.
Mr Borrell called on the Houthis to show restraint in order to avoid further escalation in the Red Sea and the wider region. He also recalled the obligation of all states to respect the arms embargo under UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015).
“Upholding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is vital to the free flow of global commerce and regional security.”, he said, underlining the right of States to defend their ships against attack, in accordance with international law.
“The EU will continue to contribute to regional stability”, promised Mr Borrell, at a time when the EU is considering the creation of a Common Security and Defence Policy mission (see EUROPE 13321/3). The subject will be discussed by the ambassadors of the Member States meeting in the Political and Security Committee on Tuesday, and could also be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 January. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)