BRUSSELS - European Union leaders met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss a range of issues. Several of them spoke to Rudaw about the recent escalation in Israel-Iran conflict and efforts to resolve the migration issue.
The heads of the EU’s 27 member nations also discussed sanctions on Russia and the alliance’s relations with the US.
Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated on June 13 when Israel carried out numerous airstrikes against Iran’s military and nuclear sites, killing many commanders and nuclear scientists.
US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between both countries on Tuesday. The truce seems to be holding so far.
“For the Baltic states, it’s important that there is no further escalation of the situation and no nuclear enrichment should be [done] in Iran… We see [the] ceasefire as a solution for now, but there should be discussions opened and peace should be restored in the region,” Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina told Rudaw on the sidelines of the event.
He added that “the final solution also requires negotiation. I can suggest Vienna as a venue for conducting negotiations. We have a long-standing tradition of organizing these types of negotiations and gatherings. This would be very good for Vienna to host the negotiations."
Europe’s three great powers - UK, France and Germany - have held several rounds of talks with Iran over its nuclear program. The fate of these talks remains unclear following the recent escalation.
Luc Frieden, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, told Rudaw that the Middle East is very close to Europe, especially Cyprus.
“This region is close to the European Union, it's not far. It's close to Cyprus. And we must try to participate at the dialogue table and bring all sides together. Europe has a key role, especially the member countries in that region. Yesterday, I had a lengthy discussion with the President of Cyprus. I believe the region as a whole needs our support and encouragement so that peace can be achieved there,” he stressed.
Migration
Another issue that topped the agenda of the Brussels meeting was migration.
Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis said that Libya should cooperate with Europe to curb the further migration of people to European states.
He told Rudaw that their focus is making sure that they implement a new policy regarding the returns.
“I will have an opportunity to inform my colleagues about the problems we are currently having with Libya and send a very clear signal to encourage the Libyan authorities both in eastern and western Libya that they need to cooperate with the European countries and the European Commission in order for these boats managed by smugglers not even to leave the Libyan coast,” he added.
The chancellor of Austria believes that Europe is on the right path.
“Austria has put forward a number of initiatives in this regard, but they haven't been without challenges. However, it's moving toward the right path and sees progress for itself. On the issue of protecting external borders and establishing deportation centers and similar centers, I believe we are on the right path,” she added in her response to Rudaw’s question.
