‘’There would be no lasting stability in the region as long as the war in Gaza continues,’’ said EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell

The 27 EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East and the risk of escalation in the wider region, during a Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday.

Further steps were agreed against Iran, both in response to its threat to regional stability and to its support for Russia.

“We have reached a political agreement in order to enlarge and expand the existing drones regime to impose sanctions to Iran in order to cover missiles and their potential transfers to Russia” saidEU foreign affairs chief  Josep Borell, who clarified that this included missile production.

‘’The EU would expand the geographical area of this framework to cover drone and missile deliveries not only to Russia but to the whole region of the Middle East and the Red Sea and expand the list of prohibited drone components,’’ he told a press conference following the meeting.

On Gaza, Borrell stressed that there was no progress on the release of hostages, no prospect of a ceasefire, no real easing of the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

‘’There would be no lasting stability in the region as long as the war in Gaza continues,’’ he said.

The Foreign Ministers agreed to invite once more Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to a future meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, as well as the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa.