Plans for an EU military mission to secure merchant shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks are near completion, multiple EU diplomats told dpa on Wednesday. The European Union reached a political agreement to launch the mission, called Operation Aspides, last month. The mission involves deploying European warships and airborne early warning systems to protect cargo ships in the area. A written procedure is to begin on Friday leading to a formal decision from EU foreign ministers to launch the mission. This is expected at their next meeting on February 19. The Greek city of Laris is to be …