EU and Gulf countries call to avoid escalation in Middle East
The leaders of the European Union (EU) and six Gulf states, meeting at a summit in Brussels, united their voices on Wednesday to call for avoiding a general conflagration in the Middle East. This summit of heads of state and government from the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar – is a first.
“We must do everything in our power and mobilize all our diplomatic skills to stop the extremely dangerous escalation” in the Middle East, declared the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the start of this meeting which she described as“historical”, reports Agence France-Presse. Mme von der Leyen argued for “immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon”.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the risk of a wider regional war, were at the heart of the discussions. While Israel continues its offensives against Hezbollah in Lebanon and against Hamas in Gaza, both allies of Tehran, its leaders say they are preparing a response to the Iranian missile attack on 1is october.
“We need a resolution to these conflicts. We must find a solution to the Palestinian cause. We hope that this first summit will be the first step to consolidate our historical ties and intensify our relations at the political, economic and cultural level.declared for his part the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani, current president of the GCC.
In addition to ongoing conflicts, including the war in Ukraine which gives rise to divergent views, the meeting, in which Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salman also participates, should allow its participants to address the themes of trade, energy and climate change.
Geopolitical crises “have caused immense human suffering, so we must act with more determination and change the course of history. The future of our two regions is totally interconnected”said the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
