The European Union calls on the parties involved in the Middle Eastern conflict to exercise restraint and create space for negotiations. This was stated by the President of the European Council, António Costa, during his speech at the conference of EU ambassadors on March 10.
This is reported by Kyiv24
EU Supports Human Rights and Opposes Escalation
Costa emphasized that the European Union stands with the Iranian people in their quest for peace and self-determination, and stressed the necessity of respecting human rights and freedoms. At the same time, he noted that achieving freedom and human rights is impossible through the use of force or bombings.
“The European Union supports the long-suffering people of Iran. We support their right to live in peace and determine their future. We believe that their rights and human freedoms must be fully respected. But freedom and human rights cannot be achieved through bombs,” he stated.
Costa highlighted the risks of further escalation of the conflict, which, according to him, poses a danger not only to the Middle East but also to Europe and other regions of the world. He underscored that in the current situation, the main beneficiary is Russia, which is using the war to undermine Ukraine’s positions, gain new resources through rising energy prices, and distract the international community from the Ukrainian front.
Support for Ukraine and Sanction Pressure on Russia
According to Costa, the European Union continues to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine: financially, politically, diplomatically, and in reconstruction efforts. He expressed confidence that the €90 billion loan currently blocked by Hungary will eventually be granted to Kyiv. Costa also emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russia to achieve a just peace that is beneficial for Ukraine and secure for Europe.
The President of the European Council expressed hope that in the near future, the EU will not only extend the existing sanctions against Russia but also approve the next package of restrictive measures.
António Costa also noted that Ukraine’s application for EU membership has given new momentum to the EU’s enlargement process. This momentum, he said, extends not only to Ukraine but also to Moldova and six countries in the Western Balkans. He stressed that the future of these states is tied to the EU, and accession to the bloc should be based on achievements and high standards for all participants.
Costa called for decisive action to implement EU enlargement in the coming years, highlighting the importance of leveraging the existing momentum and adhering to a merit-based principle, while being acutely aware of the relevance of this issue.
Currently, the approval of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia and the allocation of multi-billion financial aid to Ukraine are being blocked by Slovakia and Hungary. Both countries insist on maintaining their veto until the transportation of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline is restored.