EU Council chief says bloc ready to support Middle East peace talks in call with Pakistani premier

EU Council President Antonio Costa said Monday that the bloc is ready to support Middle East peace talks during a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The two leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, Sharif’s office said in a statement.

Sharif briefed Costa on the latest developments in Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and peace efforts, while Costa expressed appreciation for Islamabad’s “constructive role in promoting dialogue and stability in the region.”

He added that the EU “was ready to support this process, in every possible manner.”

Both leaders emphasized the need to continue dialogue and diplomacy to ensure lasting regional and global security.

Costa said in a social media post that the world is watching with “great expectation” the next meeting between Washington and Tehran, which he said should take place in Islamabad as soon as possible.

He expressed hope that an agreement would be reached to end the conflict and lead to the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The EU “supports all ongoing efforts toward peace in the Middle East,” he said.

The call comes amid efforts to secure a second round of talks between the US and Iran, expected to take place soon in the Pakistani capital.

Pakistan hosted the first round of US-Iran talks between April 11 and 12 after brokering a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which is set to expire by dawn on Wednesday.

Earlier, Pakistani sources said Iranian officials are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday.