Leaders of the member states of the European Union on Thursday at the summit in Brussels they did not reach an agreement on assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuzdespite pressure from US President Donald Trump to help protect this strategic sea route. The conflict in the Middle East has significantly disrupted shipping there and caused a sharp rise in energy prices worldwide.
One of the discussed options for how the Union could respond was to extend the mandate of its Aspides naval mission to the Strait of Hormuz. The operation was originally created as a response to Yemeni Houthi rebels’ attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. However, the proposal was unequivocally rejected on Monday by the ministers of foreign affairs of the member states in Brussels. “No one wants to actively enter this war,” said the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallasová, after the meeting.
EU leaders instead favored strengthening the Aspides and Atalanta missions, but without extending their scope to the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the text emphasizes that operations must remain “in line with their respective mandates”.
The European Council, in the adopted conclusions on the situation in the Middle East, also pointed out that developments in the region threaten both regional and global security. She called for de-escalation and maximum restraint, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and full compliance with international law by all parties.
At the same time, representatives of the member countries condemned Iran’s “indiscriminate” military attacks against states in the region and expressed solidarity with affected countries in the Persian Gulf, where Tehran is attacking US bases in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.
In the statement, the G27 leaders also welcomed the support provided by the member statesi, especially through the deployment of military assets in the Eastern Mediterranean and in support of Cyprus, where a drone attack damaged the British Akrotiri base at the beginning of March. At the same time, the European Council recognizes the intention of Cyprus to start a discussion with the United Kingdom about the British bases on the island and is ready to provide assistance if necessary.
“The European Council calls on the Commission to continue to inform the Council (Member States) of the possible impact on the EU of recent developments in terms of energy security and energy prices, supply chains and migration, and to propose measures as necessary. It also calls for coordination at EU level, including the possible impact on internal security.” they added.
Although the conflict did not translate into immediate migration flows towards the European Union, The European Council underlines the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance and ensuring the necessary level of preparedness based on tools and policieswhich the EU has developed in recent years.
According to the statement, the EU wants to continue cooperation with partners in the region in order to contribute to de-escalation and stability. The European Council reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon and that it must comply with its legal obligations on nuclear safeguards under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. At the same time, she called on Tehran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
EU leaders further called on the Iranian regime to end violence and repression against its own population. This is a reaction to recent demonstrations that were violently suppressed by the local regime. The representatives of the Union countries also discussed the situation in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
