European official: Necessity to enhance European maritime capabilities to support Operation Aspides

Brussels, September 28 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas affirmed on Monday the need to bolster European maritime capabilities in the Middle East, particularly to support the European maritime operation Aspides. Speaking upon her arrival in Brussels for a meeting of the European Council’s Foreign Affairs Council at the level of defense ministers, Kallas said, “We need more maritime assets to ensure their efficient operation in the region,” adding that the need for additional maritime assets “is greater than ever.”

On the other hand, regarding Ukraine, Kallas stated that defense ministers would discuss the support provided to Kyiv in light of recent attacks on civilians, emphasizing that Kiev “urgently needs air defense.”

Kallas also noted that the European Peace Facility has finally become available after removing obstacles to its use, along with the allocation of one billion euros for joint procurement, aimed at encouraging member states to work together in the field of defense. She added that several member states with available funds have already announced they will provide them to Ukraine.

In the context of European defense readiness, Kallas said that a meeting of the European Defence Agency’s governing board would discuss the EU’s report on defense readiness, which EU leaders had requested be prepared, stressing that there are significant gaps in defense capabilities that must be addressed.

It is recalled that the European Union launched the Aspides operation in February 2024 as a defensive mission in the context of the Red Sea crisis, following a series of attacks by Houthi militia on international commercial shipping since October 2023. (End) A.R.N. / N.A.A.