Europe is sitting on the sidelines too often regarding conflicts in the Middle East, Prime Minister Rob Jetten warned ahead of an informal EU summit in Cyprus. Later today, EU leaders are scheduled to hold talks with representatives from the Gulf, Lebanon, and Syria.
Jetten noted that while the US, Israel, and various Middle Eastern nations are deeply involved in regional disputes, Europe has struggled to take a firm stance. He pointed out that it took far too long for the continent to find a single voice when the conflict with Iran began.
To fix this, the Netherlands and several other countries are pushing to abolish veto rights in EU decision-making. The goal is to allow Europe to act much more quickly and decisively on the global stage.
The discussions with leaders from Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan will also focus on closer cooperation. Jetten hopes to build stronger friendships through economic, military, and humanitarian support, encouraging these nations to look towards Europe rather than the US.
The Prime Minister emphasised that unrest in the Middle East directly impacts Europe, particularly through new waves of migration. However, he insisted that the main priority remains ending the wars and reducing tensions to create a better future for people across the region.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
