France’s defense minister says at least eight European Union member states want to join an international operation to protect shipping from pirates off Somalia.

Herve Morin says EU defense ministers have given their go-ahead for planning related to the operation and called for coordination with NATO, which has military ships in the Indian Ocean.

Morin says there’s a “very great willingness” to join the operation among members of the 27-nation bloc.

He told reporters Wednesday that Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden have volunteered and British participation also appeared to be a possibility.