Statement by President von der Leyen on the agreement between the United States and Iran
I welcome the agreement reached between the US and Iran, following sustained diplomatic efforts by several partners.
The priority now is its swift and full implementation by all parties.
This agreement should allow for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Freedom of navigation must be restored toll-free.
This is essential for regional stability and the global economy.
It opens the door to broader negotiations on peace and security in the Middle East.
And should end Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programmes and its destabilising activities in the region.
And of course there can be no peace in the Middle East while Lebanon is in flames.
Once again Europe calls on all parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and implement a genuine ceasefire.
In Evian, G7 leaders will meet partners from the Gulf and the wider Middle East. Europe is ready to play its part.
This crisis also carries a clear lesson.
Once again, energy dependencies have been weaponised.
We must diversify our supply routes and develop alternative export corridors to diversify away from the bottleneck of Hormuz. We will discuss this, and more, in Evian.