Greece’s offer of the Larissa Headquarters as a Headquarters for the European operation “SHIELDS” against the Houthis in the Red Sea was positively received by the Informal Council of Defense Ministers of the EU.

Earlier, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attending the informal meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the European Union in Brussels, had stated that he would submit a proposal for Greece to take over the Command of Operation “ASPIDES” in the Red Sea, also offering the Larissa Headquarters as Headquarters for the Enterprise.

Upon his arrival at the informal council of Defense Ministers in Brussels, the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, had stated that the European operation against the Houthis in the Red Sea would be called “Shields”.

“Shields”, i.e. “protection of ships”, explained Mr Borel. He also expressed the hope that could start on February 17th. At the same time, he emphasized that it must be decided which country will have the administration, where the headquarters will be and what the member states will provide.

The announcement of Mr. Dendias in detail:

At the Informal Council of Defense Ministers of the EU, today in Brussels, during the discussion on the European Operation “SHIELDS” in the Red Sea, I informed my counterparts that Greece offers the Larissa Headquarters, as a Headquarters for the Operation, as well as that it has the readiness to take over the Management of the Company. Our offer was positively received.