Or can we pay up and keep on yakking? Everyone is relieved, as usual. Especially the pirates who just took in $2.7 million for the German freighter they seized in the Indian Ocean.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany said it was “with great relief’’ that that he learned of the ship’s release. Chancellor Angela Merkel was also “happy and relieved,’’ it is reported. And one of the relieved pirates is also said to have said that “We are now dividing the money and we shall get off the ship soon,” with great relief already.

British Royal Navy Commander John Harbour said the EU did not get involved in ransom deals and he could not confirm reports that $2.7 million had been paid.