Brussels, 16 April 2024 (MIA) - Following recent developments, EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs will hold an informal video conference on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

The meeting will start at 17.00 and be chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

"Our objective is to contribute to de-escalation and security of the region," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In this highly tense regional situation, further escalation can be in no one's interest, Borrell said in a statement.
He also reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to Israel's security. "The EU remains firmly committed to contribute to de-escalation and security in the region and is in close contact with all sides to this end."

“The Foreign Affairs Council is also intended to discuss issues such as what would be the next steps by the EU and its member states to react to this latest escalation by Iran, so this is what I can say on the issue of sanctions,” EU’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs, Peter Stano, told reporters on Monday.

Today's meeting of the EU diplomats' chiefs is taking place ahead of the two-day special European Council meeting, which begins tomorrow in Brussels. The meeting will be an important step towards agreeing on the EU's political priorities for the 2024-2029 period. The three main priorities are likely to centre on 'a strong and secure Europe', 'a prosperous and competitive Europe' and 'a free and democratic Europe'. EU leaders are also expected to adopt lengthy conclusions related to competitiveness, notably addressing the single market and the capital markets union. They will also address the war in Ukraine, and hold a strategic debate on EU-Türkiye relations. They may also discuss developments in the Middle East following Iran's attack on Israel.

Photo: MIA archive