On Thursday 19 March, European leaders called for a “moratorium on strikes against energy and water facilities” in the Middle East as oil and gas prices soared following attacks on the region’s major energy sites.
In its conclusions, the European Council called for de-escalation and maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and full respect for international law by all parties.
“Escalation (due to strikes on energy installations) is reckless”, explained French President Emmanuel Macron. According to him, as the region enters a period of religious festivities, “everyone should calm down and the fighting should stop, at least for a few days, to try to give negotiations another chance”.
The leaders pledged that the EU would continue to work with its regional partners to contribute to de-escalation and regional stability. “The countries in the region with which we are in contact are waiting for an initiative to put an end to this conflict”, said the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides (see EUROPE 13831/21).
“The EU stands ready to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and to bring about a lasting solution to end the hostilities, prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and put an end to its destabilising activities”, promised the European Council.
According to Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden, “it’ s never too late for diplomacy. It’s time for law to prevail over force. It is time for diplomacy to prevail over war”, stressed UN Secretary General António Guterres, with whom the leaders met, adding that “the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing immense suffering to many people around the world”.
The European Council also reiterated the need to ensure maritime safety and respect for the freedom of navigation, condemning any act that threatens navigation or prevents ships from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz. They welcomed the “increased efforts” announced by the Member States, in particular by strengthening coordination with partners in the region, “to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, once the conditions are met”.
Earlier in the day, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan said they were “ready to contribute to the efforts needed to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz”, welcoming the commitment of the nations involved in the preparatory planning. On Tuesday, London said it was working on a plan with some of its partners in Europe, the Gulf and the United States to restore shipping traffic in the Strait.
However, the leaders of Germany, France and the Netherlands made it clear that their countries would only take part in a naval escort mission once the fighting was over. “We will then be able to achieve a great deal, including opening and keeping open the sea lanes. We won’t do that until the fighting is over. This also requires an international mandate, which we do not currently have”, reiterated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
To see the declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/l94 ; and the conclusions on the Middle East: https://aeur.eu/f/l9l (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)