Energy markets were left reeling on Thursday (March 19) by Iranian attacks on the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — in retaliation for Israel’s air raid on Iran’s South Pars gas field.
EU leaders further condemned “any acts that threaten navigation or prevent vessels from entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz”.And they welcomed “the increased efforts announced by member states, including through strengthened coordination with partners in the region, to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once the conditions are met”.
An effective Iranian blockade of the strait has paralysed commercial shipping through the crucial maritime chokepoint, which in peacetime saw a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass through it.
Six major powers, including EU members France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, said they were ready “to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz”.
More broadly, the 27-nation EU vowed to “protect its security and interests” from the impact of Middle East hostilities, including working to prevent any repeat of the 2015 migration crisis, which was driven by the Syrian civil war.
“While the conflict has not translated into immediate migratory flows towards the European Union, the European Council underlines the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance,” the leaders said.
“To avoid a similar situation, the EU is ready to fully mobilise its diplomatic, legal, operational and financial tools to prevent uncontrolled migratory movements to the EU and preserve security in Europe,” they added.
“The security and the control of the European Union’s external borders will continue to be strengthened.”
