The president of the European Council, António Costa, stated this Friday, the 24th, that the European Union “is not part of the conflict, but will be part of the solution” in the Middle East, as he defended the bloc’s greater role in diplomatic efforts to end the crisis in the region. Earlier, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth again criticized allies, stating that Washington “is not counting on help from Europe” and that the bloc “needs the Strait of Hormuz much more than the US”.
At a press conference following an informal meeting of European leaders in Cyprus, Costa highlighted that the recent ceasefires between the United States and Iran, and between Israel and Lebanon, are welcome, but said that “all parties must act in good faith to achieve peace”.
According to Costa, the EU’s immediate priorities are to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, work towards a stable and lasting ceasefire that paves the way for sustainable peace, and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. “There cannot be a stable Middle East with a nuclear Iran,” he said.
The European leader highlighted that the EU has intensified diplomatic contacts with leaders from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He also mentioned that, under the leadership of France and in coordination with the United Kingdom, a coalition of more than 50 countries is preparing a multilateral defensive mission to restore navigation in Hormuz, when security conditions exist.
Costa also warned of the economic impacts of the conflict on Europe, stating that the rise in fossil fuel prices has harmed growth and directly affected citizens and companies. According to him, the European Commission has already presented a package of measures to face the crisis, and the bloc is ready to expand its response in a coordinated manner.
In the long term, Costa advocated accelerating the energy transition and the expansion of clean domestic sources to reduce external dependencies and strengthen European energy security. He also said the leaders discussed the EU’s next multi-year budget and reiterated the goal of reaching a deal by the end of the year.
Continues after advertising
