“The European Union widespread sanctions against Iran are already in forcebut today we also reached a political agreement to expand our sanctions regime and also include those responsible for violations of freedom of navigation”has announced Kaja Kallathe head of the bloc’s diplomacy, after meeting this Tuesday with the foreign ministers of the Twenty-seven in Luxembourg.
Kallas has not clarified against whom the sanctions will be and what they will consist of. For now, it is a political agreement that must now be translated into concrete measures. The goal is to increase pressure on Tehran and make a decision as soon as possible. “Ministers have made it clear that freedom of navigation is non-negotiable,” said the high representative for foreign and security policy of the EU.
Ministers have debated the potential role that the EU could have to ensure security in the strait. But There will not be a mission as long as there is no stability in the area. “Europe will contribute to restore the free flow of energy and trade as soon as conditions allow,” said Kallas. The Twenty-Seven are considering strengthening and provide resources for Operation Aspidesdesigned to protect ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
“The region is in a moment of risk and opportunity with the ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon… But its expiration date is quickly approaching,” Kallas warned. “If fighting resumes, the cost will be very high for everyoneand that is why it is important that the next round of talks be held,” he added.
The end of the ceasefire will catch EU leaders in Cyprus for an informal summit, just a few kilometers from the combat zone. A high community source has assured that Cypriot authorities will ensure security. The situation in the Middle East and the impact on the European economy will be among the topics that the Twenty-Seven will discuss. “We sincerely hope that the ceasefire holds,” said a senior community source. He has also recognized that What happens will directly affect the conversations.
No punishment for Israel
What the Twenty-Seven still do not agree on is what measures to take against Israel. Not even the thousands of dead in Gaza, the introduction of the death penalty only against Palestinians nor the invasion of Lebanon have been enough. “What else has to happen?”the Spanish Foreign Minister asked, Jose Manuel Albaresupon arrival at the meeting.
Spain, together with Ireland and Slovenia, had asked his counterparts to suspend the association agreement with Israel, given the systematic violations of international law by the Government of Binyamin Netanyahu. The European Union “risks its credibility”Albares has warned.
But again there have been no decisions. “Some Member States proposed today the total or partial suspension of the EU Association Agreementas well as restrictions on trade from settlements, and Others expressed their opposition to these proposals.”Kallas explained. The suspension requires a unanimity that seems unattainable, “and the measures that we already have on the table, which require a qualified majority, will force the States to modify their position,” he said.
Hope for Ukraine
For whom there is hope is Ukraine. The fall of Viktor Orbán’s Government in Hungary, that kept a loan to kyiv worth 90 billion euros blocked and the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia, opens the door to progress on both issues.
Orbán stopped both decisions after Russian bombing will damage the Druzhba pipelinestopping the supply of Russian oil to Hungary. The president of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenski, announced this Tuesday that they have repaired the infrastructure and the crude oil will flow again. This was the condition of the outgoing prime minister to approve the loan.
“After the Hungarian elections, a new impulse is observed, and I expect a positive decision on the 90 billion loan in the next 24 hours,” Kallas said during the press conference. “The ministers also urged move quickly with the 20th sanctions package“, she added. The head of European diplomacy hopes that this will also allow advance accession negotiations with kyiv.
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