Moscow, June 15 (RIA Novosti/GNA) – The European Union will focus in the future on bypassing the Strait of Hormuz for trade with the region by finding alternative routes, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.
“We will… discuss how to reduce our dependence on transit through the Strait. For example, alternative export routes have been created that are more resilient, and offer choices, and other routes will be built – for example, a typical one is IMEC,” she said during a press conference, referring to the proposed India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.
Von der Leyen noted that the EU had once again seen its reliance on energy being used “weaponized,” prompting discussions on the ways to lessen its dependence on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The European Commission president welcomed the recent announcement of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding, stressing that “the priority now is its implementation.”
She insisted that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen and freedom of navigation must be restored toll-free, adding that this is essential for regional stability and the global economy.
GNA/RIA Novosti