Sri Lanka has joined a global pledge to uphold international law at sea and protect freedom of navigation, the European Union (EU) in Sri Lanka announced in a statement on X.
The pledge, announced by EU High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas on October 12, 2026, aims to ensure open waterways while opposing unlawful tolls, fees, discriminatory restrictions and other measures that could obstruct international maritime navigation.
According to the EU, the pledge emphasizes the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which establishes the legal framework governing activities in the world’s oceans and seas.
The statement highlights that disruptions to maritime routes, particularly strategically important waterways, have significant consequences for international trade, energy supplies, global supply chains and food security.
It warns that imposing restrictions, discriminatory measures or other obstacles to lawful passage through straits used for international navigation could set a dangerous precedent for global maritime security.
Under the pledge, participating countries have committed to strengthening multilateral cooperation through international and regional institutions, particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to safeguard maritime governance, safety and security.
The countries have also pledged to reject coercive and unilateral actions that undermine international maritime law and oppose unlawful fees, tolls, prior authorization requirements and discriminatory restrictions that interfere with lawful navigation.
The EU further emphasized its support for defensive and non-escalatory multilateral initiatives aimed at preserving freedom of navigation.
The pledge is supported by all EU Member States and 34 countries worldwide, including Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Korea, Oman and the Philippines. (Newswire)
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