The German warship Bayern sailed from the port of Wilhelmshaven to the Indo-Pacific region. The unit’s mission is to last seven months. Berlin wants to demonstrate that Germany is on the side of international partners and for the freedom of sea routes.
Information on this matter was provided by the portal of the public broadcaster NDR. – Involvement in the Indo-Pacific region does not mean being against something or someone, but standing up for something and acting together, and resolving possible conflicts in a peaceful and partnership manner, said Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU), Defense Minister, at the ceremony farewell to the ship.
Naval Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schonbach added, quoted by the NDR, that the first mission of this type in almost twenty years is about hoisting the flag and demonstrating on the spot that Germany is on the side of its international partners, for freedom of sea routes and compliance with international laws in the region.
By participating in the mission, Germany is expanding its partnership and involvement in the region and is participating in the monitoring of UN sanctions against North Korea, added the NDR. The completion of the German ship’s mission is scheduled for February next year.
Bayern ship Shutterstock
On a key trail
Nearly 90 percent of the world’s maritime trade takes place in the Indo-Pacific, one of the key trade routes between Asia and Europe. However, China’s territorial ambitions in the region are of concern to Western European countries and the USA, reminded the NDR.
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