Fico Offers Slovakia's Expertise in Clearing Mines from Strait of Hormuz Coast

Bratislava/Paris, 17 April (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced on Friday following the leaders' summit in Paris that he's offered Slovakia's capabilities in clearing mines from the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, should they be necessary, as well as expertise related to water management - all of this following the end of the military conflict in the region, TASR was told by the Government Office's press and information department on Friday. "We find ourselves in a peculiar situation in which another country is attempting to block the already blocked strait, and there's a clear attempt to privatise this strait - whether through total control or the collection of tolls," stated Fico. The premier participated via video-conference in the aforementioned summit on the international plan to ensure freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Fico said that on behalf of the Slovak government, he expressed a clear stance that the only way to resolve the crisis is through strict adherence to international law. In practice, he said, this means free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. "Although Slovakia is a landlocked country, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, combined with the interruption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline, has an extremely negative impact on Slovakia's energy security," stated the prime minister. Following the start of attacks by Israel and the United States, Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supplies normally pass. US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday (12 April) that the US Navy would block "all ships" attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to all commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire. According to him, this move is in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, which is set to remain in effect for ten days, starting as of Thursday (16 April). Trump welcomed the opening of the strait, but said that the United States would continue its naval blockade of Iran in the region. am/df