“The European operation ‘Shields’ is an operation that protects the interests of Greece as well, strengthens and upgrades its international role and contributes to the creation of a common European defense consciousness” pointed out competent sources of the Ministry of National Defense, commenting on the initially positive response to the yesterday’s informal meeting of EU defense ministers at the minister’s proposal Nikos Dendias to make the Headquarters of the 1st Army/European Union Operation Headquarters (EU-OHQ) in Larissa the Headquarters of the European operation.

“First of all, it is important that the common will of the partners was established for a European operation in the region beyond the multinational operation that is already underway (and in which Greece also participates), as the existence of a European defense arm is a permanent national position. Therefore, it absolutely serves the interests of the country to create within the EU. of a perception of common European enterprises” they added and reminded that “a corresponding European initiative is the well-known operation “Peace” for Libya, for the undertaking of which Greece took the lead and participates in it with an extremely active role, with obvious benefit”.

Finally, the same sources recalled the financial problems resulting from “the attacks received in recent weeks by ships using the Red Sea. The specific sea route, which the company will protect, is the main and most economical way of transporting goods and merchandise to the ports and markets of the Mediterranean and Europe.

The Greek-owned merchant fleet, the largest fleet in the world, is one of the most important users of this route. It goes without saying that Greece has an interest as well as an obligation to ensure with its presence the unhindered movement of Greek ships. The attacks in recent weeks on ships using the Red Sea have resulted in the search for alternative routes that have skyrocketed transport costs, which are passed on to consumers and fuel rising inflation. In addition, the crisis in the Red Sea has a significant impact on the reduction of the commercial traffic of the Mediterranean ports with all that this implies for the ports of the country and the Greek economy by extension”.