EU must boost homegrown energy amid Iran conflict, says European Council president

GENEVA

European Council President Antonio Costa on Thursday stressed the need for Europe to increase domestic energy production, saying the Iran conflict highlights the urgency of reducing dependence on external sources.

"The best way to have a predictable and reliable horizon on our energy is to increase the homegrown production of energy," Costa said ahead of the European Council Meeting.

He described energy independence as essential for security, adding: "It’s the only way to become autonomous and independent" and to "secure our energy system."

Costa called for accelerating the EU's energy transition while taking into account differences among member states and energy-intensive sectors.

"Energy means security," he said, emphasizing the need to build Europe’s own production capacity to ensure long-term stability.

Beyond energy, Costa highlighted the importance of international coordination to address multiple ongoing crises.

He described the situation in Lebanon and Gaza as "dramatic" and stressed the need to mobilize support for Gaza, including rebuilding infrastructure and ensuring access to aid, water and energy.

Costa also noted that the war in Ukraine continues, warning that the EU must respond to overlapping global crises simultaneously.