Brussels, 04/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 4 January, the EU called for calm in the Middle East, after a rise in tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran leading to the break-off of diplomatic relations.
“Any action which could feed violence in the region and beyond must be avoided”, said a spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. The spokesperson added that the EU expected all regional powers to act responsibly in this already very volatile situation. “It is clear that no effort should be spared by all parties to keep the situation under control and to avoid sectarian tensions to escalate [sic]”, the spokesperson added, stating that the EU was following the situation and that contacts were ongoing at all levels with the EU's partners.
On Sunday 3 January, Mogherini spoke on the phone first to Iran's minister for foreign affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, and then to his Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir. “The security and stability of the whole region, that is already facing great threats, is at stake”, Mogherini told Zarif. “The international community and the main regional actors are actively working together to support a political solution for the crisis in Syria and to join forces against terrorists groups, and these efforts should not be jeopardised by new instability”, she told Zarif.
Tension has increased between the two countries following the executions of 47 people in Saudi Arabia, including Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. The EU criticised these executions, reiterating that it is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances, particularly mass executions. The EU highlighted the case of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, which raises “serious concerns regarding freedom of expression and the respect of basic civil and political rights, to be safeguarded in all cases, also in the framework of the fight against terrorism”. The Saudi embassy in Tehran has been attacked in retaliation for the executions - an attack deplored by Mogherini. On Sunday 3 January, Saudi Arabia announced the break-off of its diplomatic relations with Iran, and demanded that members of the Iranian diplomatic representation leave within 48 hours. Similar decisions were taken by Bahrain and Sudan on 4 January, while the UAE has decided to reduce its diplomatic relations with Iran. Tehran has now accused Riyadh of trying to make the tension and clashes in the region worse. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)