The foreign ministers of the "Quad" alliance, comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, affirmed the importance of freedom of navigation in global sea lanes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. This affirmation was issued in a statement following their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers' summit hosted by the US city of Atlanta.
Agence France-Presse reported on Saturday that the statement issued by the Quad foreign ministers noted that the alliance "recognizes the importance of vital sea lanes, the continuous flow of trade, energy security, and the freedom and safety of ship passage without imposing transit fees." The statement emphasized "the absolute necessity of protecting and preserving navigation rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait."
For their part, the Quad foreign ministers expressed their deep concern regarding "economic coercion, including through the imposition of arbitrary export restrictions." They discussed "policies and practices not based on market mechanisms that lead to overcapacity in production," considering that these cause disruptions in global supply chains in vital industries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed out in a post on the "X" platform earlier today the importance of ensuring the security of vital commercial lanes, primarily the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and maintaining the smooth flow of trade. He stressed the need to enhance and expand secure supply chains, particularly those related to critical minerals.
It is worth noting that the "Quad" alliance, officially known as the "Quadrilateral Security Dialogue," is a diplomatic and security partnership bringing together the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. Established in 2004, it focuses on cooperation in financing strategic port projects and securing international navigation.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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