The EU wants to prevent the conflict in the Middle East from spreading. According to EU Council President Charles Michel, an escalation would also be a huge challenge for Europe.
According to EU Council President Charles Michel, the heads of state and government of the EU states want to use all diplomatic and political means to prevent the Middle East conflict from expanding further.
It’s about preventing regional escalation at all costs, said the Belgian on Tuesday evening after a special summit organized via video conference. Such an escalation would also be a huge challenge for Europe – especially at a time when another war is raging in Ukraine.
According to Michel, a close exchange with the United Nations was also agreed. Civilians in need must have access to water, electricity, food and medical care. On the issue of Israeli and foreign hostages in the hands of Hamas, he said it was now very important to support the mediation attempts of actors from the region. All hostages must be released unconditionally.
Reduce risks for the EU
Michel also advocated further expanding cooperation between security services within the EU in order to reduce the risks to the EU posed by the Middle East conflict. The events there also led to great fragmentation, division and polarization, explained the Council President.
The heads of state and government had already adopted a joint declaration on the situation in the Middle East last Sunday. It states that the European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas and its brutal and indiscriminate attacks throughout Israel. At the same time, however, it is emphasized that Israel must exercise its right to defense “in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law”. “We reiterate the importance of ensuring the protection of all civilians at all times, in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the statement said.
In view of the controversy over aid to the Palestinians, the heads of state and government agreed that the most vulnerable civilians in the Gaza Strip should continue to be supported in coordination with partners. At the same time, it must be ensured that this support is not misused by terrorist organizations
Source: Stern
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