(B2) Copenhagen offers to take command of the European surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Paris, which is at the initiative of EMASOH (alias Agenor), has found a successor
Jeppe Kofod during his visit (credit: EMASOH)
Ready to lead EMASOH
Copenhagen will be willing to make herself available to lead from 2021 the command of this European mission launched less than a year ago (read: The operation in the Strait of Hormuz resurfaces. The French at work). Here is the announcement made last Friday (September 26), in a tweet, by Jeppe Kofod, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs. He was then visiting the Danish frigate Ivar Huitfeldt, participating in the EMASOH mission (European-Led mission Awareness Strait of Hormuz). The mission " has been a success “, justified the Danish minister for his offer to take over command. It would have indeed helped to ease navigation tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, reports the agency. Ritzau, picked up by several Danish media.
In relay of the French
Denmark thus takes over from the French, at the origin of the mission (read: The operation in the Strait of Hormuz resurfaces. The French at work). At the time, tensions between the United States and Iran were rising in the region, with incidents against merchant ships, and a US drone shot down by Iran. The objective was to preserve free movement in this narrow strait located between Saudi Arabia and Iran, so precious for the world's oil supply.
On one condition: the motivation of the partners
A condition is set by Jeppe Kofod: “ that other countries also contribute the necessary capacities to the mission. A call on the Europeans to prove themselves and provide capabilities — and therefore concrete and not just political support — to this mission. Although the mission's military operational capability has been reached since last February, only three countries - the Netherlands, France and Denmark - are involved in it out of the eight Member States that have signed up to participate (Read: The EMASOH mission carried on the baptismal font by eight EU Member States. Start: mid-February).
Danish interests
For Denmark, between the weight of the Danish merchant navy — the fifth largest maritime nation in the world according to the Minister — the interest of protecting free navigation in this important area for the international oil trade, and respect for international law... there are a number of arguments in favor of a reinforced presence in this strategic area.
