Belgium stresses the necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to international navigation

Brussels, July 13 (KUNA) -- Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stressed on Monday the necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to international navigation, emphasizing that no country should impose its control over it or levy fees or financial burdens for passage through it.

Following his meeting with Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Prevot reiterated his condemnation of the recent attacks in the Gulf region in a post on the X platform, expressing his solidarity with the affected countries and with workers in the maritime transport sector.

He added that he underscored during the meeting the importance of the close partnership between the two countries, expressing his appreciation for Bahrain’s role as the current chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its membership on the UN Security Council.

Prevot clarified that the meeting, held on the sidelines of discussions with Gulf partners during the European Union Council of Foreign Affairs meetings in Brussels, provided an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two countries. He pointed to a genuine desire from both sides to continue developing relations and to leverage shared potential, affirming that the meeting represented an important step forward. He noted that the upcoming EU-GCC summit in October would offer an additional opportunity to deepen cooperation. (End) A.R.N. / N.S.A.