Although he is stepping up diplomatic efforts, MEPs called on High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell to do even more to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
"We need to play an even more active intermediary role in the region. We had the opportunity to contribute to de-escalation after the recent events through numerous contacts in the region", said Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany). "To get everyone back to the table, the EU will have to show real leadership, which is not the case at the moment", denounced Assita Kanko (ECR, Belgium).
While Mr Borrell explained in his introductory remarks that he would follow these issues closely, hold talks with stakeholders and visit all the countries concerned, Belgium's Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of Renew Europe, called on the High Representative to travel to Washington and Tehran to present the EU's position. "We must defend the European interest and it is up to you to do so", she added, believing that the EU had a role to play in the Middle East.
The Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, France), was tougher. "It is time for the EU to speak its mind and its priorities: the fight against nuclear proliferation and the fight against Daesh. Let's stop staring helplessly at a powder keg on our doorstep", she told Mr. Borrell.
More broadly, for Kati Piri (S&D, Netherlands), the current situation shows that the EU needs to have a "realistic debate on the EU's strategic autonomy".
Many MEPs, including Ernest Urtasun (Greens/EFA, Spain), called for saving the Iranian nuclear deal "which contributes to stability and makes it possible to talk with Iran about human rights" (see other news) and for continuing EU action in Iraq. According to Borrell, the EU has invested more than €1.2 billion since 2014 in the country. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)