Michel proposes EastMed conference to diffuse tensions

The President of the European Council Charles Michel said Friday that unilateral actions and violations of international law in the Eastern Mediterranean “must absolutely stop”, tabling a proposal for a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, in cooperation with the United Nations. 

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Michel said that "the European Union is concerned about tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Unilateral actions and violations of international law must absolutely stop. Together with our Member States, we are undertaking intensive diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and to promote dialogue.”

“In this spirit,” he went on, “I have proposed the organization of a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, in conjunction with the United Nations. Many actors have already responded positively and are ready to discuss the modalities, the agenda and the timetable. Maritime delimitations, security, energy issues, and migration are some of the topics that I believe should be addressed."