Costa and von der Leyen Meet Middle East Leaders Monday Over Attacks and Regional Instability

European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will host a videoconference with Middle East leaders next Monday to address rising instability after a series of recent attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran, according to a spokesperson in Brussels.

“File - The presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, talk in the meeting room of the EU leaders' summits in Brussels”

Europa Press

The announcement framed the meeting as a response to the region’s deteriorating security situation and positioned the EU’s top institutional leaders as conveners for a targeted diplomatic discussion.

Europa Press

EU officials said the videoconference will review the 'rapid evolution' of the security situation and hear assessments from regional leaders.

It will consider additional support by the EU and member states for those affected and explore possible paths to de-escalation and ending the conflict.

Europa Press

The meeting's agenda, as described by the spokesperson, emphasises both immediate support measures and diplomatic efforts to stabilise the region.

A spokesperson did not specify which Middle Eastern countries would join.

“File - The presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, talk in the meeting room of the EU leaders' summits in Brussels”

Europa Press

The EU will be represented by Costa and von der Leyen, and participation by the bloc's heads of state and government is not expected.

That limited EU representation suggests the meeting is intended as a focused, high-level ministerial or leader-to-leader exchange rather than a summit requiring the attendance of all member-state chiefs.

A meeting follows a joint statement from the foreign ministers of the EU’s 27 members and six Gulf Cooperation Council states condemning Iran’s "unjustifiable attacks" on civilian and oil infrastructure in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

This places the videoconference in the immediate context of regional strikes and international diplomatic backlash.

Europa Press