Belgium-EU/Middle East
Belgium-EU/Middle East
Dateline : March 19, 2026/File
Location : Belgium
Duration : 1'08
Brussels, Belgium - March 19, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. EU flags
2. Banner reading "European Council"
3. Banner reading "Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union"
4. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez walking
5. Sanchez receiving interview
6. Reporters, camera crew
7. Banner reading "European Council"
FILE: Strait of Hormuz - 2011 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International/Radio Farda)
8. Various of boats sailing through Strait of Hormuz; island in Strait
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Dec 15, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
9. Various of Berlaymont building (headquarters of European Commission), EU flags
European Union (EU) leaders on Thursday called for de-escalation of the Middle East conflicts that triggered energy security issues and intensified geopolitical tensions.
Thursday's summit is widely regarded as one with the largest number of topics in recent years, with leaders arriving from early morning for multiple rounds of high-level consultations.
The latest draft conclusion of the summit is 24 pages long, covering eight major areas and more than 70 issues. The multitude of topics and the breadth of coverage are rare in recent years.
The Middle East tensions were the summit's focal point. Several diplomats and EU officials highlighted that escalating conflicts in the region have intensified energy market volatility, forcing European countries to confront rising energy costs and complex geopolitical risks that are closely intertwined with energy supplies.
EU leaders' statements reveal a three-pronged strategic focus: de-escalating regional tensions, ensuring the security of shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, and strengthening energy and security independence.
Key figures, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasized that military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran are not "Europe's war", calling for restraint and urging all parties to cease hostilities promptly to create conditions conducive to renewed negotiations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez notably expressed opposition to any military intervention against Iran, stating prior to the summit that such actions violate international law.
On the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, the EU reiterated the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation but stopped short of proposing specific further steps. This cautious stance underscores Europe's attempt to balance security concerns with the desire to avoid direct involvement in rising regional conflicts.
Analysts suggest that the EU should mainly rely on diplomatic efforts, economic measures, and limited security investments to address the current dual crises in Ukraine and the Middle East.
ID : 8471052
Published : 2026-03-20 14:19
Last Modified : 2026-03-20 20:35:36
Source : China Central Television (CCTV)
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