Brussels, Belgium. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said Middle Eastern countries expect an initiative to help end the region’s conflict and suggested the European Union should play a role in it. He spoke on arrival at the European Council summit in Brussels.
Call for an EU role and support for Lebanon
Christodoulides said the EU should exchange views on having a role in an initiative, warning that without one the situation would continue to have negative effects. He said the EU must offer support for Lebanon.
Reference to Lebanese proposal for direct talks
Christodoulides said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had made an official and public proposal to hold direct negotiations with Israel after Israel launched heavy missile fire on southern Lebanon and Beirut. He said Aoun asked him to raise the matter at the summit.
Cyprus offers to assist
Christodoulides said that if there is a positive response from the other side, Cyprus is ready, within the framework of its relations, to help in that direction.
Aoun’s remarks on negotiations and the conflict
Earlier in the week, Aoun said he hoped to achieve a breakthrough in efforts to hold direct talks with Israel. He said no one expected “the war of others” to take place again in Lebanon and criticised those seeking support from abroad against others at home. He said there is no possible military horizon to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and that delaying negotiations would increase the damage.
Macron urges Israel to initiate talks
Christodoulides’ support for direct talks came after French President Emmanuel Macron said Israel should seize the opportunity to initiate talks and declare a ceasefire, find a lasting solution, and allow Lebanese authorities to fulfil commitments to Lebanon’s sovereignty. Macron also said Israel must refrain from a large-scale offensive and cease massive airstrikes, noting that hundreds of thousands of people have fled the bombings.
Historical context
Israel and Lebanon have not engaged in direct negotiations of this nature since Israel invaded southern Lebanon in 1982.
What role do you think the European Union should play in efforts to support negotiations between Israel and Lebanon?
