Kathmandu. The EU has stated that freedom of navigation in the 'Strait of Hormuz' must be ensured 'without any payment.' This statement from the EU comes after Iran suggested that payment would be required to allow ships to enter.As talks are set to begin following a two-week ceasefire declared by Iran and the United States after more than a month of tension, the full reopening of the vital Gulf waterway has become a central point of contention.