Tomorrow (16/4) the EU’s foreign ministers are meeting via video conference, while the draft conclusions of the Summit, available to ERTNews, make extensive reference to the Middle East.
As reported by the correspondent of the public radio and television in Brussels, Irini Zarkadoula, in the new draft,
there is condemnation of European leaders while all parties are calling for restraint. As it is also emphasized that there should be no escalation in the wider area.
It is typically reported that the European Council strongly and unequivocally condemns the Iranian attacks against Israel, as well as expressing full solidarity with the people of Israel. At the same time, it calls on Tehran and its representatives to stop the attacks and all parties to show maximum possible restraint.
It is of particular importance that everywhere, in all the statements, they invite all parties, all sides while opposing even one response from Israel’s side. It is also emphasized that there must be abstinence from actions that may increase tensions. Tomorrow the foreign ministers are meeting at 6 pm Greek time via video conference to discuss the next steps.
In the UK Rishi Sunak briefs the House of Commons on British involvement in the defense of Israel. As ERTNews correspondent in London, Eudoxia Lymberi, reported, all sides must show restraint, was Rishi Sunak’s central message to the legislators. The UK Prime Minister began this statement by condemning Iran’s actions against Israel.
As he said, Iran sought to plunge the Middle East into a new crisis. The attack, he said, was unprecedented and even added that if it had succeeded, the implications for regional security and the blood toll on Israeli citizens would have been devastating. He reiterated that the British air force had shot down a number of drones aimed at Israel and had provided significant surveillance support, he said, in particular intelligence, during the US-led operation.
He said that Iran has shown its true face and said that from now on all efforts are directed towards diplomacy. As he said after the meeting with the G7, with the allies we will announce in the next few days our plans for the coordination of diplomatic efforts.
According to Iranian state media, Iran’s foreign minister told his British counterpart that Tehran does not support escalation, but will respond immediately and stronger than before if Israel retaliates
As reported by the head of the international news department of ERTNews, Anna Papasotiriou, right from the start it was clear that Israel will not let this unprecedented attack by Iran on its territory go unanswered, because it would essentially weaken its deterrent power, which is at the core of its of national security.
“It would be as if it encouraged Tehran to proceed with a new, more asymmetric and surprise reaction this time, with all the consequences in the region. Now as to where and when he will do it, I think that as we also heard from our envoy, Konstantinos Constantinos in Tel Aviv, that tonight may also be in the discussion. But whether he does it tonight, whether he does it in a week, or in a month, the point is that Israel is apparently unconvinced by the argument of its Western allies that diplomacy might prove sufficient, or perhaps tougher sanctions against Tehran. sufficiently weaken Iran.”
“The Netanyahu government is being given an opportunity to come clean once and for all with its number one threat.
I certainly think that Netanyahu has been criticized for many things, but he is a pragmatist, he is a realist and he will not drag the region into a generalized war” said Anna Papasotiriou, among others.
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