ROME, March 5 -- The Italian parliament on Tuesday approved the country's participation in the European Union (EU)'s "ASPIDES" mission.

The mission, according to the Council of the EU, aims to "restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf," and it is of "defensive" nature.

Lawmakers in the lower house passed the government's decree on ASPIDES with 271 votes in favor and six against, and senators later gave their approval.

Ahead of the vote, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani explained that Italian ships would have the power to defend themselves. "ASPIDES will have executive tasks of extended self-defense," he added.