LONDON

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.

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.