European Council President Antonio Costa says “real peace” in the Middle East “can only be achieved by defending international law in a consistent and principled way”, Anadolu reports

Speaking after an informal EU leaders meeting, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, Costa says Europe is operating in a “challenging security environment” that requires a “360-degree vision for sustainable peace and security”.

“The European Union is not part of the conflict, but we will be part of the solution,” Costa states, referring to ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, Lebanon and Iran.

He welcomes recent ceasefires involving the US, Iran, Israel and Lebanon, calling them “welcome developments,” but stresses that all parties must now “engage in good faith to achieve peace”.

“As we support diplomatic efforts towards reaching a negotiated solution to this conflict, our principles are clear: real peace can only be achieved by defending international law in a consistent and principled way,” he adds.

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