European Union leaders will discuss the recent escalation in the Middle East this week, calling for “restraint” from Iran and Israel to prevent violence spreading in the region, at the first summit of Portugal’s new prime minister.
The initial focus of the extraordinary two-day European Council meeting in Brussels from Wednesday to Thursday will be on domestic market competitiveness, but while the issue remains on the agenda, international news has dominated the day, as well as the recent rise in tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Heads of government and state of the 27 European Union (EU) countries will therefore call for “strong condemnation” of Iran’s attack on Israel with drones and missiles over the weekend, European sources said, speaking ahead of the meeting. .
“After the situation we saw over the weekend, a strong signal from the G7 [grupo das sete maiores economias mundiais] “will be repeated by the European Council in its commitment to Israel’s security and in its call on Iran to stop all attacks,” a senior European official said.
Another community representative stressed that to this end, conclusions would be adopted at that time, calling for “restraint on all sides so as not to escalate” tensions, in a “message addressed to both countries.”
At the same time, the text will mention the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, given the bombing and barriers put up by Israel to the passage of supplies, and the European Council calls for “increased humanitarian assistance,” the latest source said.
This is stated in the letter of invitation that European Council President Charles Michel sent today to EU leaders, in which he guarantees “a commitment to working with partners to end the tragic crisis in the Gaza Strip,” where the tragedy occurred. conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which lasted more than six months.
In the letter, Charles Michel also mentions “the events of the weekend, [que] aggravated the already extremely unstable situation in the region.”
According to the latest draft conclusions of this emergency summit, to which Lusa had access, “The European Council strongly and unequivocally condemns Iran’s attack on Israel and reaffirms its full solidarity with the people of Israel and its commitment to ensuring security against it.” a country”.
At the same time, according to the same document, “the European Council calls on Iran and its representatives to completely cease their attacks and calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any actions that could increase tensions in the region,” further indicating that the EU is “ready cooperate with all partners to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region, especially in Lebanon.”
Regarding the Gaza Strip, heads of government and EU states reaffirm “their commitment to working with partners to end the crisis.”
This is the first summit of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who took office earlier this month, and his debut at the European Council after his predecessor Antonio Costa was part of the institution for eight years.
The first day of the summit, which begins late Wednesday with a reception by the Belgian kings, will also feature a debate on the EU’s relationship with Turkey, as attempts are made to reach Ankara and as Cyprus demands guarantees of territorial provisions.
The second and last day of the extraordinary summit will be devoted to the EU economy. The European Council will host former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta to discuss his report on the Community internal market and discuss how to improve European competitiveness against the US and China.
On the table is a “new European competitiveness agreement” that aims to remove barriers to the movement of goods, services and capital, mobilize more public and, above all, private investment to prevent companies from leaving the EU and simplify bureaucracy for companies. , according to the draft opinions to which Lusa had access.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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