On Wednesday, the heads of State and Government of the European Union gathered in Brussels for an extraordinary meeting that was initially slated to focus on the economy. However, due to the volatile international situation, particularly concerns about escalating violence after Iran’s recent attack on Israel, the agenda shifted.
The discussions revolved around extending sanctions on Tehran and calls for restraint from Israel to avoid further escalation. Germany, a strong ally of Israel in the EU, emphasized the need for Israel to avoid retaliatory attacks that could hinder de-escalation. Other European leaders echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading to the region.
The EU condemned Iran’s attack and called for maximum restraint from all parties involved. Discussions also centered on imposing additional sanctions on Iran specifically related to drones and missiles, to contribute to de-escalation in the region. The possibility of recognizing Palestine as a State was also discussed, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez leading the initiative. The EU was set to assess other countries’ willingness to support this proposal, with Ireland expressing support for recognition as part of a two-state solution.
In addition to these issues, technical issues related to security and legal measures were addressed at the meeting in Brussels. Discussions will continue to explore further actions to stabilize
