Germany urges swift EU agreement on Red Sea mission

BERLIN

Germany urged the European Union on Sunday to quickly reach an agreement on a mission to protect the bloc's commercial ships in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen's Houthi group.

In a joint news conference with newly-appointed French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the importance of a military operation in the Red Sea.

Baerbock underscored the crucial role of the EU in the mission and said talks were "ongoing at the EU level, and we hope to reach a conclusion quickly." She added that the German government is actively involved in the negotiations.

The US renewed airstrikes Saturday on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, one day after attacks were carried out by Washington and London against targets in areas controlled by the Houthis in Yemen.

After the attacks on Friday, which resulted in five deaths and six injuries among the Houthis, the group declared all American and British interests "legitimate targets" for its forces in response to their "direct and declared aggression" against Yemen.

The Houthis target in the Red Sea cargo ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel, in solidarity with Gaza, which has been under Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7.

Referring to the solidarity between Germany and France in relation to Ukraine, Baerbock highlighted the significance of Sejourne's visit to the country as a strong signal of solidarity.

On Israel's war on the Gaza Strip, Baerbock said Germany was doing its best to secure the release of all captives held by Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

She also expressed deep concern over the suffering among civilians in Gaza, particularly children.

Hamas is believed to be holding nearly 136 Israelis following its cross-border attack on Oct. 7.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the Hamas attack, killing at least 23,968 Palestinians and injuring 60,582 others, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed.

According to the UN, 85% of the population of Gaza is already internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

Addressing the situation in Europe, she emphasized the importance of unity, stating. "If Europe unites and speaks with one voice, we will not be ignored in the world," she said.

Sejourne echoed Baerbock's sentiments on supporting Ukraine and stressed the importance of a unified European voice on Red Sea tensions.

Both ministers expressed their desire to strengthen the "Weimar Triangle," consisting of Germany, France, and Poland, and Sejourne mentioned his upcoming diplomatic engagements in Warsaw, Poland.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan