Nicosia [Cyprus], April 24 (ANI): French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called for a swift return to stability in West Asia, warning that the ongoing spillover from the US-Israel war on Iran is unsettling the global economy, Al Jazeera reported.
“It is in everyone’s interest for stability to return as soon as possible and for the world’s economies to be reassured,” Macron said on arriving at a European Union summit in Cyprus, held April 23-24, where talks with West Asian leaders are expected.
Citing Iranian state media Press TV, Macron also opposed Washington’s pressure-driven approach toward Iran, saying negotiations must be “systematic” and rooted in diplomacy rather than military pressure or economic strangulation. “Dialogue with Iran must be carried out in a systematic manner, not through targeted blockades or similar measures,” he said.
Macron stressed the need to preserve ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon and called for sustained diplomatic engagement on Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs. He confirmed that France is coordinating with Britain on strategic and military steps, including efforts to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, underscoring Paris’s commitment to regional stability.
Earlier on April 22, military planners from more than 30 countries met at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, North London, in a UK- and France-led initiative to develop a coordinated plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Ministry of Defence said. The two-day conference aimed to advance detailed military planning under a multinational framework following a proposed ceasefire agreement.
On April 18, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged de-escalation in West Asia and called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing it should remain free from tolls and privatisation. Posting on X after taking part in a virtual Leaders’ Summit on the Strait of Hormuz co-hosted by Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Albanese said 49 countries adopted a “consistent approach” focused on freedom of navigation. “Last night, I joined the Strait of Hormuz freedom of navigation summit. There were 49 countries that participated. There was a consistent approach. We want to see de-escalation,” he wrote, adding the aim was to see the strait “opened” with “no privatisation and no tolls.”
A virtual Leaders’ Summit on the Strait of Hormuz, co-hosted by Macron and Starmer, was held in Paris on April 17 to discuss stabilising the key maritime corridor.
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