There is a “huge” risk of the situation in Iran escalating, the EU’s foreign affairs chief has warned. It comes after the US bombed suspected nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend.
Europe ministers are meeting in Luxembourg to discuss the situation. The EU’s Hugh Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, says she is open to more talks with Iran to try to calm the situation down.
“Concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge…We had talks with the Iran[ian] minister on Friday and there Iran was opening up to discuss the topics nuclear, but also broader security issues.
Definitely, we have to keep this ongoing [dialogue] because in the end there has to be a diplomatic solution”, she said on Monday.
Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, is in Luxembourg for the Europe ministers’ meeting.
It comes ahead of a meeting of EU heads of states and government on Thursday.
“In preparations for the European Council meeting, Minister Byrne will stress Ireland’s key positions on the situation in the Middle East and Gaza, on Ukraine and on security and defence, as well as on competitiveness and simplification”, Minister Byrne’s office said.
Speaking on the Middle East ahead of the General Affairs Council, the Minister said: “Ireland calls on the EU to send a strong message about the unacceptable and catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire and a permanent end to hostilities.”
Commenting on defence and security, Minister Byrne commented: “Ireland welcomes the White Paper for Defence Readiness. We recognise the immediate need for the EU to demonstrate a credible and unified approach and for Member States to take responsibility for their own defence, and to work together to address critical capability gaps. That work is already underway in Ireland as we act to close the capability gaps that we have identified.”