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EU summit: 17 member states join forces on migration as Middle East war fuels new risks
EU leaders met Thursday to discuss measures to manage migration risks linked to the war in the Middle East ahead of leaders’ summit, according to a statement from the Italian Prime Minister’s office.
“In the margins of the European Council meeting, the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, together with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and the Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, held another informal meeting today with some of the Member States that have the most interest in innovative solutions for the management of migration, and in particular the strengthening of the legal framework regarding returns,” it said.
The meeting included Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greek Cypriot Administration, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the European Commission.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the Commission’s work on migration, focusing on steps to address risks from the Middle East conflict and progress on the new Returns Regulation.
Migration: safe third country
The statement added that Meloni was pleased with the progress, including the new EU list of safe countries and the “safe third country” concept.
She also highlighted a letter sent with Frederiksen calling for stronger European support for populations affected by the Middle East conflict and better coordination in case of new migration waves, aiming to avoid a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis.
The leaders agreed to “continue maintaining close operational coordination on the issues discussed, also ahead of the next European summits.”
Tensions in the Middle East remain high since the US and Israel initiated a large-scale military campaign against Iran, so far killing more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran retaliated, hitting US bases in the Gulf region, and has taken de facto control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies.
An Israeli airstrike targeted the Iranian side of the South Pars gas field Wednesday, halting production at two major refineries. Iran retaliated and targeted energy facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
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The Patriots: Mideast conflict could trigger migration crisis
The Patriots, a political party grouping several right-leaning and Eurosceptic parties in the European Parliament, Fidesz party from Hungary, warned Thursday that escalating tensions in the Middle East could trigger a new migration and security crisis in Europe.
In a statement ahead of the European Council meeting, the group said the EU is “not adequately prepared” for potential migration flows, arguing that the bloc’s current migration framework is insufficient to prevent mass arrivals.
“The situation in the Middle East could trigger a new migration and security crisis for which Europe is not adequately prepared,” they said.
According to Anadolu, they called for stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and increased efforts by member states to secure national borders, describing the current migration framework as “inadequate.
They also warned of rising internal security threats, including terrorism, urging the European Commission and relevant authorities to ensure the safety of European citizens.
The leaders also expressed support for “a stable and secure Iran where the Iranian people can live their lives free” but stressed that the broader regional situation could have direct consequences for Europe.
They also raised concerns over energy security, warning that the crisis could disrupt supply and drive up prices, particularly affecting landlocked countries.
The group urged the European Commission to prioritize energy stability and support member states, while emphasizing national sovereignty and calling for policy changes to address economic and security risks.
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“EU summit: 17 member states join forces on migration as Middle East war fuels new risks.’
Yep, those who were already planning to retire in Central Europe may well be fleeing the lunacy, in the disUnited States sooner…
🇷🇺🇷🇺🤥🤦🤡🤣🤣🤣
I do like how our “No War!” “Peace!” Politicians are staying under the radar when it comes to their “Warmonger!” BFFs Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu are escalating the Iran war to a world war (“World War 3!”). A regional war already, Mr. Trump asked NATO to join (…) and economic fallout (also for “Hungarian Families!”) already apparent and will be profound.
Oh – and why would there be a wave of refugees? Not “Warmonger!” BFFs, surely?
The difference between authentic proponents of peace and the opportunists.
Where is Orban’s personal statement on this issue? He usually blurts out everything he experiences with the EU. No sooner has he left a meeting than the press is informed about all the supposedly negative developments concerning the EU.
Would that perhaps jeopardize his election campaign, because then even the most obtuse person would realize who is responsible for the impending disaster? Of course, then it’s better to remain silent and publish nothing.
Official Tehran has made a direct demand to Germany to “clarify the role” of Ramstein, the largest U.S. airbase in Europe, in the current military conflict. This is reported by digi24.
Iran’s ambassador to Berlin, Majid Nili, said in an interview with AFP that the role of Ramstein base, which is the headquarters of the US Air Force in Europe and Africa, remains “officially unclear”. Tehran suspects Washington’s use of the facility violates international law.
The Iranian side is appealing to a UN resolution that says a state cannot make its territory available to other countries to carry out “acts of aggression” against third parties.
“We have asked them to clarify or explain the role of Ramstein. To date, we have not received any response,” the diplomat stressed.
Despite pressure from Tehran, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he sees no reason to question the legality of the use of the Ramstein base so far. The German government notes that U.S. military activities on German territory are strictly regulated by existing international treaties.
The Iranian ambassador warned that ignoring the situation around Ramstein would have direct consequences for Europe:
Economic turmoil: The war in the region is already hitting world markets.
Refugee crisis and terrorism: Further destabilization of the Middle East will provoke new waves of migration.
Ship blockade: Neely recalled that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively blocked to those who support the “aggressors”.
Tehran insists on an immediate and long-term ceasefire, and also raises the issue of financial compensation for strikes on civilian targets. While Berlin remains silent, tensions around the main U.S. military hub in Europe continue to rise.
A Pentagon spokesman announced the early deployment of U.S. Marines and landing ships to the Middle East to bolster the group, which is deployed to counter Iran. It was reported by Newsmax.
Sources said the landing task force, led by the USS Boxer and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, left the U.S. West Coast ahead of the original schedule.
The group includes the amphibious transport dock ships USS Portland and USS Comstock. About 4,000 troops, including 2,500 Marines, are aboard. In addition to personnel, the ships are carrying F-35 fighter jets, missiles and equipment for the amphibious landings.
The group will pass through the Indo-Pacific on its way to the Middle East. After arriving at the conflict zone, it will join forces with the landing ship USS Tripoli. The cruiser USS New Orleans and the dock ship USS Rushmore will join the formation. The deployment will bring about 8,000 military personnel, including up to 5,000 Marines, to the conflict region.
Hopefully this won’t turn into another Vietnam or Afghanistan.
‘Hopefully this won’t turn into another Vietnam or Afghanistan.’
Yes, Dear Karl, though the decision President Trump made reminds me of the one President Johnson made, when he reversed President Kennedy’s policy to not escalate in Vietnam.
That decision destroyed the Johnson presidency.
The American Public, however, at that time, was, in general, not hostile to fighting in Vietnam – not in 1965. That said, even in 1968, the South, where I grew up, did not have anti-war protests, and almost never a draft dodger.
This country, nowadays, is very different. We also do not have a controlled media, as we did in those days. We do not have a unified White population, but, a patchwork of many peoples, many of whom have very different feelings about our country than the average White held, back in those days
This means that the government is already operating at a huge disadvantage, if they plan a longterm committment.
They, our government, have been hiding the casualties, but, if the body bags start coming home en masse, President Trump’s approval rating, already in a nose dive over the economy, will be irrecuperable.
So, no, I do not see a Vietnam, BUT … the fighting between Israel and most of it’s neighbours may continue for a very long time.
🇷🇺🇷🇺 🤥🤥🤥 🤦🤦🤦 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴