The EU must take a clear position and play an active role with regard to developments in the wider Middle East, Foreign Affairs Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Tuesday during his intervention at the extraordinary teleconference of the EU Informal Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), which took place following his request to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas.

The purpose of the meeting, a Foreign Affairs Ministry press release says, was to coordinate on the rapid developments in the region, with Kombos emphasising that the situation remains extremely critical and that the coming days are crucial. Referring to contacts he had with his counterparts from the Arab world and the wider region, he noted that the EU must take a clear position and play an active role.

It is added that the Foreign Minister underlined that the EU must engage substantially, both institutionally and through its Member States, while at the same time emphasising the need to halt further escalation and end mutual attacks, stressing that, although the conditions for negotiations do not currently exist, the EU must prepare the ground for future mediation. In this context, he noted that a coherent policy plan for engagement and a strategic positioning of the EU are needed now.

Furthermore, Kombos noted that attention must not be diverted from Gaza and reiterated the proposal he had made to the FAC on 20 May 2025 to launch a direct dialogue between the High Representative and Israel, especially on the issue of the amount of humanitarian aid and the number of trucks entering Gaza daily. He also highlighted the importance of operational readiness, noting that Cyprus has already activated its Special National Plan “Estia”, through which it has so far facilitated the air transport of thousands of European citizens.

The Foreign Minister also referred to the growing threat to the security of European citizens in the region, stressing the need for clear security dialogue, real-time information exchange and the fight against disinformation. As he noted, this is a threat that is not far from Europe.

In closing, the Minister stated that the EU must intensify its action and diplomatic efforts.