France asks Netherlands for naval support in Mediterranean amid global tensions

The Dutch government is weighing the deployment of a navy vessel to the Mediterranean, following a request from France, according to a letter sent Wednesday to the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, by Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz.

The Dutch government is looking at sending the air defense and command frigate Zr. Ms. Evertsen is to provide support for France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean. In their letter, the ministers note that the Cabinet is examining both whether such a deployment is advisable and whether it is practically possible.

Zr. Ms. Evertsen is currently sailing with the task force centered around the Charles de Gaulle. Any mission in the eastern Mediterranean, however, would require political authorization. France plans to deploy the carrier to safeguard commercial shipping and the transport of oil and gas.

Zr. Ms. Evertsen was deployed in the Baltic Sea until recently. Defense officials say the frigate is capable of defending a full fleet formation and carries about 200 personnel, including its command staff.

In a televised speech Tuesday night, President Emmanuel Macron revealed that France is deploying the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean amid the escalating war involving Iran. Macron stressed that the move is necessary to safeguard France’s economic interests, noting that energy prices and international trade have been severely affected by the conflict.

In recent days, the Charles de Gaulle has been moored in Malmö, Sweden, and it will take several more days to reach its intended location. The carrier had initially been scheduled to take part in military exercises in northern Europe.