EU backs Pakistan's Middle East mediation as PM Shehbaz pledges dialogue and diplomacy

ISLAMABAD: European Council President Antonio Costa on Monday expressed strong diplomatic support for Pakistan’s ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East during a call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing that only dialogue and diplomacy can restore stability to the region.

The discussion comes amid escalating tensions following US and Israeli airstrikes last month that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials. Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on US military bases across Gulf countries have broadened the conflict, raising concerns over regional and global security.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Costa and PM Shehbaz discussed the ongoing hostilities and Pakistan-EU relations. Both leaders expressed “deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf countries and their impact on the global economy,” stressing the need for peaceful resolution through dialogue.

PM Shehbaz briefed Costa on Pakistan’s mediation efforts, which the EU Council president endorsed, reaffirming the EU’s support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating the crisis. Shehbaz also highlighted the significance of the GSP Plus program and looked forward to inaugurating the first-ever Pakistan-EU Business Forum in Islamabad on April 28-29.

Costa, in his post on X, expressed concern over the prolongation of the conflict and praised Pakistan’s role as a neutral facilitator. “Only dialogue and diplomacy can bring peace and stability back to the Middle East, in full respect of the UN Charter and international law,” he said.

The call followed Pakistan’s recent quadrilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Islamabad with representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad could host direct US-Iran talks in the coming days, with both sides expressing confidence in Pakistan’s impartial role.

PM Shehbaz summarized the conversation on X, stating: “We exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and agreed that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail to restore regional peace and stability. I briefed him on Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts, which he welcomed and supported.”

The engagement underscores Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role as a mediator in the Gulf crisis while strengthening its strategic dialogue with the European Union.