Romania has joined a statement made by Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan, on ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz
The leaders of the six countries issued a joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz on Friday in which they expressed their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said Romania joined the initiative.
“We have decided to join the statement of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan on ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a fundamental principle of international law.”
“Romania’s participation in this initiative comes amid the serious implications that the closure of the Strait has on global energy markets as well as the world economy. The effects are also being felt in Romania, particularly in terms of fuel prices. In this context, we are ready to take part in the efforts of the international community aimed at keeping prices at a level affordable for the population. Romania maintains its clear decision not to become involved in the conflict in the Middle East and we are working together with our international partners towards de-escalation,” said the Romanian President.
Six countries condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian energy infrastructure in the Gulf in a statement issued yesterday, March 19, and declared themselves “willing to contribute” to ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which some 20% of the world’s oil passes.
What the coalition statement on the Strait of Hormuz includes
“We express our willingness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure the safe passage (of vessels) through the strait,” the statement said. “We welcome the commitment of countries involved in preparatory planning,” the joint statement added.
The joint statement by the six countries—five of which are G7 members—condemns Iran’s attacks and calls on Tehran to immediately cease its actions. “We strongly condemn the recent attacks launched by Iran against unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities, as well as the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” they said.
“We call for an immediate and comprehensive moratorium on attacks against civilian infrastructure, especially oil and gas facilities” in the Gulf, the countries added in a joint statement issued after Iranian strikes on gas installations in Ras Laffan, Qatar—the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
They also pledged to work with certain energy-producing countries to increase output and stabilize markets. Welcoming the release of strategic oil reserves, the statement added: “We will take further measures to stabilize energy markets, including cooperation with certain producing countries to increase production,” without providing additional details.
The Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Bahrain, and Lithuania also joined the initiative.
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