(Adnkronos) – Italy’s government is cooperating with the European Union to bolster the Aspides mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea and the Atalanta anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa to safeguard trade routes which are vital for European businesses, foreign minister Antonio Tajani told MPs on Wednesday.
“We are working with the European Union to strengthen the Aspides and Atalanta naval missions to protect the trade routes in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, which are vital for our businesses,” Tajani stated during Question Time.
The Aspides mission has so far protected 1,300 merchant ships, Tajani noted.
Italian navy vessels could help patrol the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint to ensure oil and other cargoes safely navigate the key conduit once the US-Israel-Iran war is over, Tajani said last week.
