High Representative Kaja Kallas signed a Status of Forces Agreement with Djibouti on 16 July 2026, formalising logistical support for EU naval operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Speaking in Djibouti alongside Foreign Minister Omar, Kallas said the agreement ensures continued access to fuel, water, food, and port services for EU ships and air assets, calling it a major step forward in bilateral relations.
The agreement underpins two EU naval missions. Operation ATALANTA, launched in 2008, has worked with Djibouti for nearly two decades to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa. Operation ASPIDES, a defensive mission protecting civilian shipping, has in 29 months safeguarded over 670 merchant vessels, rescued 128 seafarers, and defended against dozens of Houthi attacks, according to Kallas. She noted that Djibouti's shore-based support has been essential to both missions.
Kallas framed the agreement against a deteriorating security backdrop. She cited Iran's repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which she said are unravelling an interim deal with the United States, and a resurgence of Houthi missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, breaking a four-year truce. 'When shipping is threatened, supply chains disrupted, prices rise, and families and businesses feel the consequences far beyond this region,' she said.
The agreement has direct implications for several stakeholders. EU naval forces gain a formalised legal framework for basing and logistics, reducing operational uncertainty. Djibouti secures a deepened security partnership with the EU, reinforcing its role as a regional hub. European shipping companies and global supply chains benefit from continued protection of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for trade between Asia and Europe. However, the agreement also locks Djibouti into a long-term alignment with EU security policy, potentially complicating its relations with other regional powers.
Kallas also visited an EU-funded seawater desalination plant that provides 30% of Djibouti's drinking water, highlighting that EU cooperation extends beyond security into development. The agreement is expected to be followed by further operational coordination between EU naval forces and Djiboutian authorities.