60 countries back declaration opposing strait tolls
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Oct 12.
PHOTO: Reuters
BRUSSELS — Sixty countries supported a declaration on Monday (Oct 12) pledging to work to preserve freedom of navigation and opposing the introduction of tolls through straits used for international navigation.
"We support ongoing defensive and non-escalatory multilateral initiatives aimed at preserving the freedom of navigation," the declaration, which is supported by countries including members of the EU, Australia, Japan and the UK, said.
"We oppose any measures, including the imposition of unlawful fees, tolls, discriminatory restrictions, prior authorisation requirements or other conditions, that would hamper or impair lawful navigation, through straits used for international navigation," it added.
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