Brussels, June 17 (EFE).- The European Union on Tuesday called for urgent diplomatic efforts to defuse rising tensions between Israel and Iran following recent military strikes.
European Union (EU) foreign ministers launched coordinated measures to evacuate European nationals from the region amid growing fears of escalation after several days of mutual military attacks.
“It is clear that, now that talks between Iran and the United States have stalled, the EU and Europe as a whole have a role to play,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas at a press conference after a videoconference meeting of foreign ministers to “share views and coordinate our diplomatic efforts.”
Kallas explained that the ministers urged all parties to respect international law, exercise restraint, and avoid actions that could spiral out of control.
“We all agreed the urgent need for deescalation. Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. And diplomacy is the solution to prevent this. The EU will play its part,” Kallas said. “I will spare no efforts in this respect.”
Referring to last week’s report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which stated that Tehran has violated its non-proliferation obligations, Kallas stressed that “we cannot be lenient when Iran accelerates its nuclear program.”
“The European Union can and will play its role in seeking a diplomatic solution. We are in contact with both Iran and Israel to prevent escalation, because regional stability is in everyone’s interest. That’s why we’re also engaging with regional partners,” she added.
As a concrete outcome of Tuesday’s meeting, Kallas highlighted efforts to coordinate the evacuation of Europeans in the region who wish to leave.
“We have activated the civil protection mechanisms and we are assisting member states to evacuate their citizens that wish to leave. In parallel, we stand ready to deploy civil protection experts,” she said.
She also confirmed that the EU’s Red Sea naval mission, Aspides, will continue to protect merchant ships from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran.
The ministers also addressed the crisis’s impact on global energy markets and emphasized that their focus on Gaza would not waver.
“We again call for full and immediate access to humanitarian aid, a ceasefire, and the release of hostages,” said Kallas.
She noted that the situation in the Gaza Strip will be thoroughly discussed at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, scheduled for next Monday in Brussels.
At that meeting, ministers will also review Israel’s human rights commitments under its association agreement with the EU, a revision requested by most member states, she added.
“Member states will express their views on the matter. The review is still being drafted,” Kallas said.
She also dismissed Russia as a credible mediator in the Israel-Iran conflict, citing its invasion of Ukraine as evidence.
“We have to acknowledge that Iran has supported Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and their cooperation continues,” Kallas said.
“Russia cannot be a credible mediator if it does not genuinely believe in peace,” she said, referencing what she called “one of the most devastating attacks on Kyiv to date,” which killed 14 people and left many missing. EFE
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