EU backs Pakistan's Mideast mediation

Antonio Costa reaffirms support for dialogue

ISLAMABAD:

European Council President Antonio Costa on Monday reaffirmed diplomatic support for Pakistan's peace efforts in the Middle East to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that only dialogue and diplomacy could bring peace to the region.

Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli air strikes last month assassinated Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region.

In response to the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.

Pakistan has since ramped up its diplomatic efforts to play its part in easing the tensions and emerged as a key mediator between the US and Iran in their ongoing conflict, which had spread across the Gulf region.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on X today, Costa and PM Shehbaz discussed the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and exchanged views on Pakistan-EU relations.

"Both leaders expressed their deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf countries and their impact on the global economy. They stressed the need to resolve the crisis through dialogue and diplomacy," the statement read.

The PMO further stated that the prime minister also shared the latest developments in Pakistan's mediation efforts to de-escalate the Middle East crisis. Costa endorsed Pakistan's peace efforts and reaffirmed that the EU supported all diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region.

"PM Shehbaz highlighted the importance of GSP Plus and mentioned that he looked forward to inaugurating the first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad on April 28-29," the statement added.

According to the PMO, the prime minister recalled that his scheduled visit to Brussels had to be postponed last month, emphasising that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the EU.

"The EU Council president said he looked forward to welcoming the prime minister in Brussels on mutually convenient dates," the statement further noted.

The statement also mentioned that PM Shehbaz conveyed his good wishes to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Separately, on X, Costa stated, "Good call today with the prime minister of Pakistan to hear his assessment on the Iran war, as well as the outcome of the recent consultations between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held in Islamabad."

"The EU is gravely concerned about the prolongation of the war and its increasing global impact. I wish Pakistan all the best in its peace endeavours," he added.