Quad Foreign Ministers on Monday condemned the ongoing attacks perpetrated by Yemen’s Houthis against international and commercial vessels transiting through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The joint statement came after talks between the Foreign Ministers of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, attended by Australia’s Penny Wong, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Japan’s Yoko Kamikawa, and Antony Blinken from the US.
“We condemn the ongoing attacks perpetrated by the Houthis against international and commercial vessels transiting through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” said the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Joint Statement. “These attacks destabilize the region, impede navigational rights and freedoms, and trade flows, and jeopardize the safety of vessels and people on board, including sailors,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the Joint Statement mentioned that the Quad Foreign Ministers are looking forward to India hosting the next Quad Leaders’ Summit later this year. “We look forward to India hosting the next Quad Leaders’ Summit later this year, and to the United States hosting the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in 2025,” said the Joint Statement.
The joint statement also emphasized the importance of respecting the territorial integrity and political independence of all states and urged countries to refrain from using force or threatening to use force against others. “We reiterate our commitment to the UN Charter and call for all countries to uphold its purposes and principles, including refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” as per the joint statement.
“We underscore our commitment to upholding respect for the rule of law and observing international law in good faith, as they constitute the foundation for peace, stability, and prosperity of all Member States,” the statement added.
