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EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Use of the veto (maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz)

16.04.2026
New York

16 April 2026, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the    General Assembly 79th meeting on the Use of the veto - Item 64: Special report of the Security Council A/80/707 - Debate pursuant to resolution 76/262

Madam President,

  1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States. 

  2. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, as well as Andorra and Monaco, align themselves with this statement.

  3. We regret that despite intense negotiations, the draft Resolution proposed by Bahrain on behalf of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Jordan could not be adopted because of the veto exercised by two Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, the body bearing the primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security. 

  4. Freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical maritime routes, are essential for the stability of the Middle East, global trade, energy and food security, and other critical supply chains.

  5. As we are witnessing today, disruption to its normal functioning carries far-reaching consequences, as the security, economic, and humanitarian aspects of the crisis spill far beyond the Gulf region. 

  6. For example, since the onset of the escalation, fertiliser prices increased by 20-35% in Latin America and the Caribbean, and global urea prices are up 50% just as Asia enters its rice planting season. This threatens to reduce harvests globally and could drive up to 45 million additional people into acute hunger during 2026.  This is a global crisis and the most significant humanitarian supply chain disruption since COVID, comparable to shock caused by Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea and the subsequent grain crisis. 

  7. Any act that threatens safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is unacceptable. Maritime security, freedom of navigation, and the right of safe free passage through international straits must be respected, in line with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS. It cannot be conditioned by individual states.

  8. The EU welcomes the ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran and urges for deescalation and continued dialogue, and full respect of international law by all parties, including the principles of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law. We commend Pakistan and other regional partners for their efforts and mediation that contributed to this positive outcome.

 

 

Madam President, 

  1. We welcome increased coordination among partners to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to consider appropriate measures once the conditions are met. 

  2. We also welcome the Secretary-General's personal engagement in addressing the crisis, including the appointment of Jean Arnault as Personal Envoy for the Middle East, and express our full support for his mandate, as well as the UN Task force set up with the aim to develop mechanisms designed to meet humanitarian needs in the Strait of Hormuz. 

  3. We urge all involved to fully respect the ceasefire across the region, including in Lebanon, cease all military operations, and fully ensure freedom of navigation, in line with international law, with special urgency on the passage of humanitarian goods. UNSC Resolution 2817 should be fully implemented. 

  4. All parties must comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, UN peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel.
    In this context, we further call for an urgent cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, which take a heavy toll on civilians. We hope that the first bilateral meeting in decades between Israel and Lebanon may pave the way for a lasting peace between the two countries.

  5. To conclude, the European Union will continue to engage with partners in the region to contribute to de-escalation and regional stability. Diplomacy is key to resolving all outstanding issues. HRVP Kallas visited the Gulf countries last week, while President of the European Council Costa concluded his visit to the Gulf region yesterday. 

  6. Parties should continue engaging in good faith in efforts to reach a sustainable agreement on all areas of concern. We stand ready to contribute to all diplomatic efforts, in coordination with partners, to reduce tensions and to bring about a lasting solution to end the hostilities, prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and put an end to Iran’s destabilising activities, including its ballistic missile programme.

I thank you. 

 

  1. ^ North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.