New York:Germany and seven other countries have announced that any disruption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is unacceptable, citing threats to global security and prosperity, especially for vulnerable populations.

According to Qatar News Agency, the German Federal Foreign Office issued this declaration following a meeting of foreign ministers and senior representatives from European and Indo-Pacific partner countries. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and included participants from Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom.

The delegates reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), highlighting the increasing volatility and fragmentation of the strategic environment since their previous meeting in September 2025. They emphasized that their cooperation is based on democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and international law, which they believe are essential for peace, stability, sustainability, and prosperity in Europe and the Indo-Pacific regions. They urged other UN member states to support these initiatives.

The group also committed to maintaining and strengthening a rules-based multilateral order anchored in international law and the UN Charter, including international judicial institutions. They expressed a desire for UN reform to improve the organization's effectiveness and resilience.

Furthermore, the participants highlighted the link between security and prosperity across Europe and the Indo-Pacific. They pledged to enhance collaboration in tackling shared challenges, countering hybrid threats in all domains, and bolstering the resilience of their societies.