EU leaders seek to do more to 'de-escalate' in Middle East
A key issue for Europe is the Strait of Hormuz, whose effective closure has sent oil prices soaring and crimped the supply of jet fuel in Europe.
European leaders vowed today (24 April) to do more to de-escalate conflicts in the Middle East, as they prepared for discussions with regional counterparts from Egypt, Lebanon and Syria in Cyprus.
The EU has largely remained on the sidelines in the Middle East war despite US President Donald Trump lashing out at what he says is Europe's lack of support for Washington's efforts to contain Iran.
"Europe must do even more," French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters in Nicosia before heading into talks with fellow European Union leaders.
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They will later have a working lunch with leaders from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan, as well as the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
This lunch will be "an opportunity, with Syria, Jordan, among others, to coordinate. They are affected by the situation in the region," Macron said.
"It is in everyone's interest for stability to return as soon as possible and for the world's economies to be reassured," Macron said, in stark contrast to Trump, who said the United States had "all the time in the World".
Talks host Cyprus was dragged into the regional conflict after a drone strike on a British base on the Mediterranean island in March.
"It was clear from last night's discussion that we need to do much more to enhance our cooperation with the countries of the region," Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told reporters.
EU leaders had met for dinner yesterday (23 April)hursday in the seaside resort of Ayia Napa.
Their efforts come after Trump indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran this week, as well as an extension of a shaky truce between Israel and Lebanon.
A key issue for Europe is the Strait of Hormuz, whose effective closure has sent oil prices soaring and crimped the supply of jet fuel in Europe.
French and British defence ministers have hosted a series of meetings, attended by numerous EU members, to plan how to secure the Strait once a sustainable ceasefire between the US and Iran is in place.
A senior EU official said before the Cyprus pow-wow that the bloc was "ready to contribute...when the conditions are met."
The divided island of Cyprus holds the rotating EU presidency and has pushed for the EU to consider how to support each other in the event of an attack.
