Imposing fees and obstructing international navigation is unacceptable

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas visited New York as part of the United Nations General Assembly, taking part in a series of high-level meetings and sessions focusing on maritime security, transport, regional cooperation and sustainable tourism.

Tzitzikostas participated in a UN discussion entitled “Reinforcing cooperation to achieve a secure and stable maritime domain” attended by foreign ministers from around the world, with a focus on strengthening international cooperation to ensure a safe and stable maritime environment.

European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas presented the EU’s broader position on foreign and security policy, while the Commissioner addressed the impact of geopolitical conflicts on shipping and trade, as well as the economic fallout from the crisis in the Gulf. Tzitzikostas stressed the need to keep international shipping routes open, describing this as a shared global interest, with particular emphasis on freedom of navigation through international straits worldwide, including the Strait of Hormuz, as guaranteed under international law.

At the same time, he highlighted the importance of the “No Fees. No Tolls” initiative, backed by the EU, which stipulates that passage through international straits should not become a source of political pressure or revenue simply because ships need to transit them.

This is important not only for the Strait of Hormuz, he said, but also to avoid setting a precedent for other strategic chokepoints around the world.

“We work with and support international and regional institutions responsible for the safety and security of shipping, particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO), recognising that maintaining a stable, open and international maritime order based on the rule of law and international law is a shared global interest. We oppose any measures, including the imposition of fees, tolls and discriminatory restrictions, as well as other conditions that obstruct, harm or hold navigation hostage, including through straits used for international navigation, or alter the existing legal framework governing the right of passage established under international law of the sea, as reflected in UNCLOS,” he stressed.

The Commissioner also took part in the EU-Gulf Forum, co-organised in New York by Antenna Group and the Atlantic Council, focusing on strengthening EU-Gulf cooperation for regional security and prosperity. “Whatever happens in the Gulf does not stay in the Gulf. Disruption quickly reaches European ports and airports, energy markets, supply chains, tourist flows and consumers,” the Commissioner said. “Transport, connectivity and tourism have taken on a much stronger geopolitical dimension. Freedom of navigation, resilient infrastructure, diversified corridors and secure air and maritime connections are essential to the economic security of Europe and the Gulf.

At the same time, tourism is an important source of growth, investment and employment for both regions and an important bridge between our societies. The central message is that Europe and the Gulf should move beyond simply managing individual disruptions and towards building resilience together. By protecting strategic routes, diversifying connectivity, strengthening air and maritime cooperation and developing a more resilient and sustainable tourism relationship,” Tzitzikostas stressed.

Referring to the EU’s proposals, he said: “Amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, the climate crisis and pressure on global supply chains, strengthening the EU-Gulf partnership can deliver tangible benefits in transport and connectivity. Connectivity resilience is no longer simply an economic issue. It is a strategic necessity. We cannot allow excessive dependence on a single port, pipeline, chokepoint or corridor. We need to strengthen existing corridors while developing complementary maritime, rail, air and land connections.”

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