STORY: EU member states will discuss what can be done from the European side to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday (March 16).

"It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that's why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side," she said, speaking to journalists ahead a EU foreign affairs meeting in Brussels.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS SOUNDBITES ON CRISIS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

RESENDING COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MARCH 16, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER, KAJA KALLAS, WALKING TOWARDS REPORTERS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, KAJA KALLAS, SAYING:

"We first have to discuss what the member states are willing to do in the Strait of Hormuz. And there is also discussion that there could be element when the big fighting is is over. But of course, the needs to open the strait of Hormuz are there right now. So we will discuss this today."

3. EUROPA BUILDING INTERIOR

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English)EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, KAJA KALLAS, SAYING:

"We see the easing of sanctions on oil, on Russia by U.S. is a dangerous precedent because right now we need them to have less money for waging the war than more. And of course, you know, the Strait of Hormuz being closed is also to the benefit of Russia to fund this war. So we need to do definitely more on this."

5. EUROPA BUILDING INTERIOR

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, KAJA KALLAS, SAYING:

"I had talks with (UN Secretary General) Antonio Guterres about whether it was possible to also have the same kind of initiative like we had the Black Sea Initiative, how to get the grain from Ukraine out because the closure of Strait of Hormuz is really dangerous for the oil supplies, energy supplies to Asia. 85% of of the oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz goes to Asian countries. But it's also problematic for the fertilizers. And if there is a lack of fertilizers this year, that's going to be also food deprivation next year. So so we discussed with Antonio Guterres how to make this happen. And then on our side, we have missions and operations in the region. We have a speed as of course, we will discuss with member states whether it's possible to really change the mandate of this mission."

7. KALLAS WALKING AWAY FROM CAMERAS