According to the President of the EU Council, Charles Michel, the heads of state and government of the EU states want to use all diplomatic and political means to prevent the conflict in the Middle East from escalating further. It is about preventing regional escalation at all costs, Michel said this evening, after a special summit organized by videoconference. Such an escalation would also be a huge challenge for Europe – especially at a time when another war is raging in Ukraine.
Close exchange with the UN agreed
According to Michel, a close exchange with the United Nations was also agreed. Civilians in need must have access to water, electricity, food and medical care. On the issue of Israeli and foreign hostages in the hands of Hamas, he said it was now very important to support mediation attempts by actors in the region. All hostages must be released unconditionally.
Michel also advocated further expansion of cooperation between security services within the EU in order to reduce the risks to the EU posed by the conflict in the Middle East. Events there also led to great fragmentation, division and polarization, explained the President of the Council.