On Tuesday 21 April, Europe’s foreign ministers called for diplomatic efforts in the Middle East to continue, whether in negotiations between Israel and Lebanon or between Iran and the United States. While the ceasefires are generally being respected, according to the High Representative of the Union, Kaja Kallas, their deadlines are approaching.
“We hope that these two ceasefires will be extended for as long as is necessary to ensure that the peace negotiations produce concrete results that guarantee the region’s long-term security”, stressed the Finnish minister, Elina Valtonen, adding that her country had offered to help facilitate discussions on a broader regional security architecture.
“In Lebanon, the ceasefire and the talks between Lebanon and Israel offer a glimmer of hope”, said the German minister, Johann Wadephul, encouraging the two parties to persevere along this path. “We now need viable agreements to protect civilians on both sides of the Blue Line. The safety of UNIFIL peacekeepers and a lasting peace agreement within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 are essential”, he added.
“Lebanon is paying a heavy price for a war it did not choose. There are too many civilians that have lost their lives in this war. (...) We continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and work on a possible EU civilian mission. The more we strengthen the Lebanese army, the weaker we make Hezbollah”, emphasised Ms Kallas, who received the Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, for an informal session with the ministers, who spoke in particular about the efforts being made to free the country from Hezbollah’s grip.
In addition to the ceasefire, Slovenian minister Tanja Fajon called for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty to be respected. “It is vital that the EU expresses its solidarity with and support for the Lebanese government and its right to sovereignty and to the protection of its country and its citizens. Many of them have been unfairly targeted, killed in recent weeks and displaced by the millions”, added her Irish counterpart, Helen McEntee.
Her Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares Bueno, denounced the “unbearable” situation in Lebanon. “We are witnessing an invasion in violation of international law”, he condemned, adding that Beirut was being bombed indiscriminately.
While welcoming the fact that “at last, after so many decades, a direct dialogue can be established between the Israeli and Lebanese authorities”, the Belgian minister, Maxime Prévot, denounced Israel’s attitude towards Lebanon, which he described as “totally unacceptable”. “Of course we must firmly condemn the initial attacks by Hezbollah, which dragged Lebanon into a war it did not want, but Israel’s disproportionate and indiscriminate reaction is totally problematic and reprehensible”, he added.
Continuing talks between Iran and the United States. The ministers also called for an agreement between the United States and Iran. “The war in Iran is entering its third month. It is in our direct interest to see this conflict resolved quickly”, stressed Mr Wadephul, calling on the Tehran authorities to visit Pakistan and negotiate constructively with the United States. According to him, “there is still a chance to end this war through negotiation”.
Sanctions against those responsible for blocking Hormuz. Once again, the ministers called for the restoration of free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Freedom of navigation is non-negotiable. Daily U turns, whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed, are reckless. Transit through the Strait must remain free of charge”, summarised Ms Kallas.
Promising that Europe would play its part in restoring freedom of movement as soon as conditions allowed, she said that the Aspides naval mission, currently in the Red Sea, was “the quickest way to protect shipping in the region” and called on Member States to mobilise more resources.
The High Representative also announced that the ministers had reached a political agreement to punish those responsible for restricting freedom of navigation in the Straits, as part of the sanctions linked to Iran (see EUROPE 13852/1). “Work is ongoing. There is political agreement, but there also needs to be a legal preparation for that; we are aiming for the May Foreign Affairs Council (for a formal adoption)”, she added. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)