Brussels, 16 March (LaPresse) – "We are part of the European Union, we are leading the Aspides mission, which I believe needs to be reinforced to safeguard maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. We will continue to work towards that end, and are also prepared to reinforce the Aspides mission and Operation Atalanta, but I do not believe these missions can be extended to the Strait of Hormuz, partly because one is an anti-piracy mission and the other a defensive one; they are therefore different missions, and I believe it is right to continue working in the Red Sea to ensure maritime traffic and free movement". This was stated by the Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, at a press briefing on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. “As regards Hormuz, I believe that diplomacy must prevail; an additional diplomatic effort must be made to guarantee freedom of navigation in Hormuz, which concerns not only Western countries but the whole world, including China,” added the head of the Foreign Ministry.