Brussels: Today, President von der Leyen and President Costa engaged in a video conference with leaders from Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. The discussion focused on the ongoing conflict in Iran, notably condemning the attacks against neighboring countries and addressing the subsequent impact on energy security.
According to Cyprus News Agency, this conference demonstrates continued solidarity and diplomatic engagement by the European Union, following initial efforts by the Presidents and High Representative Kaja Kallas. The leaders jointly condemned Iran's indiscriminate attacks and expressed solidarity with the affected populations.
The European Union emphasized its commitment to alleviating the situation, advocating for a return to negotiations. While the international rules-based order faces challenges, the EU maintains that dialogue is the sole sustainable resolution. The EU consistently urges Iran to cease its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and denounces the regime's internal repression.
During the meeting, the Presidents acknowledged the regional leaders for aiding in the repatriation of European citizens stranded since the conflict's onset. The EU remains a steadfast partner to the region, pledging to assist in restoring stability and upholding international law.
The European Union has initiated measures to protect critical waterways through operations Aspides and Atalanta, prepared to adapt these initiatives to the evolving situation. President von der Leyen announced the deployment of ReliefEU stocks to support Lebanon, affected by the regional crisis, with aid planned to reach 130,000 individuals imminently.
Regional leaders provided insights into how the conflict impacts their nations, particularly regarding energy security and the strategic closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The dialogue fostered discussions on enhancing cooperation to mitigate these risks and affirmed a commitment to ongoing communication to foster peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf regions.