France, Germany, UK join calls for 'immediate resumption of negotiations' in Middle East

France, Germany and the UK said today that they welcome the efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the US “towards an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages” between Israel and the Palestinians, Anadolu has reported.

A joint statement signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that they endorsed a joint statement of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and US President Joe Biden calling for the immediate resumption of negotiations.

A joint statement from the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/zqXplcegeB

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 12, 2024

“We agree that there can be no further delay,” said the three European leaders. “[We] have been working with all parties to prevent escalation and will spare no effort to reduce tensions and find a path to stability.”

The fighting must end now, they added, and all hostages still detained by Hamas must be released. Moreover, they insisted that the people of Gaza need urgent and unfettered delivery and distribution of aid.

“We are deeply concerned by the heightened tensions in the region, and united in our commitment to de-escalation and regional stability. In this context, and in particular, we call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages.”

Macron, Scholz and Starmer ended their statement by pointing out: “They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardise this opportunity for peace and stability. No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.”

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