Belgium is ready to join efforts to restore free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz with minesweepers, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost announced after participating last night in the meeting of 41 countries dedicated to security in the strait. Earlier this week, Belgian authorities announced their readiness to join the security of the Strait of Hormuz after the cessation of hostilities in the area, BTA reported.
We discussed the need to take diplomatic and political steps, including imposing economic sanctions, to ensure free navigation, within a clear international framework, Prevost specified in a post on the social network "Ex". The joint activities in the strait are expected to begin with mine clearance, followed by escorting merchant ships, Belgian media noted. It is specified that meetings on the necessary military planning will continue next week.
Belgium announced yesterday that it is leaving its airspace open to aircraft used in the operation against Iran.
According to official data for last year, only 3 percent of oil imported into Belgium was related to supplies from the Middle East. The remaining quantities were provided by countries in Europe (44 percent), Africa (17 percent), the United States (15 percent), and several other countries (21 percent).