EU leaders want to talk competitiveness. Middle East tensions and Ukraine top their summit list
BRUSSELS (AP) — European leaders’ discussions at a summit in Brussels were set to focus on the bloc’s competitiveness in the face of increased competition from the United States and China.
Tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine decided otherwise and the 27 leaders will dedicate Wednesday evening talks to foreign affairs.
As the unprecedented attack by Iran on Israel ratcheted up regional tensions and raised fears of a wider war, EU leaders will urge “all parties to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any action that may increase tensions in the region,” according to a draft of their summit conclusions.
Following a video meeting of the bloc’s foreign affairs ministers on Tuesday, the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said the EU will also consider further sanctioning Iran.
“This may entail expanding the scope of the existing regime targeting Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine through drones, to include the possibility to sanction Iranian missiles as well as drone deliveries to Iranian proxies in the Middle East,” the European Council said.