According to the French Misnistry of Armed Forces, the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH) is from now on operational in the Strait of Hormuz. The mission aims to boost and ensure the freedom of navigation in the Arabian-Persian Gulf area.
In fact, the initiative is composed by Belgian, Danish, Dutch and French officers while its headquarters are based at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi.
The main goal of the mission is to enhance a safer navigation environment and monitor maritime activities in order to reduce the existing tensions of the region.
The aim of this mission is, together with our partners, to expand our capability for autonomous situation assessment, to monitor maritime activity and to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
…said the EMASoH collaborators.
For the records, the Lafayette-class frigate Courbet is the first vessel to join the operation, while the frigate De Ruyter is expected to take part as well, since it has recently set sail from the Netherlands.
Another Danish frigate will take part in the mission from September 2020.
Today, Europe has a role to play through this operation and it is taking on that role. Our only compass will be to ease tensions in a region that needs it, while safeguarding European interests. I commend the commitment of all the sailors and soldiers, French and foreign, involved in this mission.
…said Florence Parly, Minister for the Armed Forces when welcoming the implementation of the mission.