Athens, Greece – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced his country’s readiness to join a UN-backed international mission aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This statement came at the conclusion of the European Council summit in Brussels. Mitsotakis emphasized that ensuring safe passage through this strategic waterway is the “most important outcome” of any international agreements concerning the current crisis in the region.
International legitimacy is a fundamental condition
Mitsotakis emphasized that any Greek contribution to this mission would not be arbitrary, but would require explicit and direct “international legitimacy” from the UN Security Council.
He explained that Greece had already raised this issue at the international organization. He also affirmed that his country strongly supports broader maritime security efforts, not only in fulfillment of its alliances but also to protect its vital national interests. Greece possesses one of the world’s largest merchant shipping fleets. Therefore, this fact makes it one of the most vulnerable to any disruptions in this waterway.
Goal: Return to the pre-conflict situation
The Prime Minister indicated that the ultimate goal of these moves is to return to “pre-conflict conditions.” Under those conditions, commercial vessels transited the straits freely, without the restrictions or additional fees imposed as a result of the crisis.
Through this approach, Mitsotakis seeks to reaffirm Greece’s role as a key player in regional security discussions. He is leveraging its strategic location and the size of its fleet to secure a prominent position in global energy security decision-making.
