Tajani: “Italy is on its own when it comes to security in the Red Sea; we must increase the military presence of Aspides”

Brussels – Italy has been left to patrol the waters of the Red Sea on its own, and it is time for the other EU countries to resume their contribution to maritime security in the region. This is the request put forward by Italy at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, as explained by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the proceedings: “I have called for an increase in military presence for Aspides, because at the moment only Italy is providing security in the Red Sea.” 

The Aspides naval mission is a European Union initiative  launched in February 2024 in response to the unrest in Yemen, particularly the guerrilla activities of the Houthis. Initially, other Member States, including France and Greece, actively joined and participated. At present, however, the only operational vessel in the area is Italian. Of course,  for the mission in question, the Council has ordered an expansion and reinforcement, and it is reasonable to expect an increase in personnel and resources. Meanwhile, Italy is making its voice heard. 

It is not only on the issues of maritime safety and navigational security that the Foreign Minister supports the government’s stance. Faced with the energy crisis caused by the US and Israeli war in Iran, Tajani has once again called for the suspension of the Stability Pact, “should the conflict continue.” For the Meloni government, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister reiterates that this “is a valid option” and “we will see what Brussels decides to do.” For now, the EU executive has spoken out clearly against the suspension of the common budgetary rules, but Italy is trying to stand its ground. 

The government is also standing firm on interest rates: the Minister for the Economy, Giancarlo Giorgetti, has already outlined the government’s opposition to any suggestion of raising them, a point reiterated by Tajani. He emphasises that, given the current situation, the right thing to do is to “reduce the cost of borrowing.” It means cutting interest rates, contrary to what the European Central Bank is set to do.