Lithuania looks for ways to contribute to EU mission in Red Sea

VILNIUS – Lithuania is looking for ways to contribute to the European Union's recently launched mission to protect maritime traffic in the Red Sea, the Defense Ministry has said.

"We are coordinating actions with allies to find the most optimal way to contribute to joint efforts to restore safe and uninterrupted navigation on one of the most important global trade routes," it told BNS.

The ministry also notes that the parliament would have to supplement the mandate for international missions before Lithuania could send its military personnel to this operation. 

"Once all the preparatory work has been completed, it will be possible to talk about the specific capabilities, timelines and other details of Lithuania's contribution to the operation," it told BNS in a comment.

At the start of last week, the EU announced the launch of its mission to protect cargo vessels in the Red Sea from attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels. France, Germany, Italy and Belgium then said they planned to contribute ships.