Italy says EU naval mission in Red Sea still insufficient

AI Summary

Italy's defense minister said contributions to the EU's Aspides naval mission remain insufficient to protect Red Sea shipping. After meeting EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Rome, Guido Crosetto welcomed additional assets pledged by some member states.

ROME, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday that contributions to an EU naval mission protecting Red Sea shipping remain insufficient, as Rome presses allies to do more to safeguard traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. • In a statement issued after meeting in Rome with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Crosetto welcomed a decision by some member states to contribute additional assets to Aspides, without identifying the countries involved