Red Sea: Crosetto urges EU countries to strengthen the Aspides mission. ‘Still nothing concrete’

The EUNAVFOR ASPIDES mission is a European Union naval operation, established in February 2024 to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by the Houthis, the Iranian-backed Yemeni armed movement. The mission has taken on further strategic importance as tensions have escalated and attempts have been made to block or threaten the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for the global transit of oil and gas.

In his most recent statements, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has levelled rather sharp criticism at the failure of several European countries to make a tangible contribution to the mission. It is unacceptable, he told European governments, that the security of a strategic trade route for the whole of Europe should essentially fall on the shoulders of Italia and Greece. Italia has urged its EU partners to do more.

A position that Crosetto has reiterated in recent hours. “In response to our request,” he said, on the sidelines of the presentation in Rome on Tuesday 10 November of the Defence Calendar, “I have received the full support of Kaja Kallas (the EU High Representative, ed.), who fully understood the importance of the matter, but so far I do not seem to have seen any concrete initiatives. I keep repeating this: one-third of EU military operations rely exclusively on Italia’s contribution,” Crosetto reiterated. “Nations far larger than ours provide a significantly smaller contribution. If there is to be any point to a common defence capable of protecting Europe by investing in missions, it is only right that everyone should play their part. If other states were as committed as Rome, we would probably be able to make a much greater impact, not only in the Red Sea, but also in Lebanon and the Balkans – from Bosnia to Kosovo – wherever a European presence is essential.’

Crosetto has proposed that other European countries contribute in two ways. The first option is a military contribution, which involves sending additional warships and equipment to bolster the Aspides mission. If there is no desire to strengthen the European mission militarily, there would be a ‘Plan B’: a financial contribution. If the other states do not intend to send ships, they must at least contribute towards the costs incurred by those ensuring the safety of shipping. Italia had even said it was willing to send a second frigate, but Crosetto considers it unfair that Rome should bear alone the costs and risks of an operation that safeguards the commercial interests of the whole of Europe. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has also backed this line: either the other countries send naval vessels, or they must contribute financially.

At the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on 12 October, Kallas acknowledged that ‘the escort operations carried out as part of Operation Aspides are becoming increasingly important, given the dangerous escalation by the Houthis. “I welcome the additional vessels recently offered by Member States,” he added, “but it is also clear that more are needed. Keeping the Red Sea open is in Europe’s strategic interest.” “As regards Operation Aspides, we need at least 10 ships, and we have not yet reached that number. However, we have learnt today from some Member States that discussions are still ongoing. I therefore hope that this will result in the actual deployment of the ships that this operation genuinely needs, because if we are to be a credible guarantor of security in the region, we must have a credible mission, and for that we need more ships,” concluded the High Representative.