NICOSIA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the European Union (EU) on Friday called for diplomatic efforts to negotiate a lasting end to the Middle East conflict, urging full and permanent freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Following an informal meeting of EU leaders and a meeting with Middle East partners in Cyprus, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the shared goal is now to negotiate a lasting end to the war. "This includes restoring full and permanent freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without tolls."
European Council President Antonio Costa joined the call that diplomatic efforts must continue with the objective of finding a lasting solution.
Costa said the war in the Middle East has already had disastrous consequences for people, for infrastructure and for the global economy. "And with every day that passes without a solution, the situation is only getting worse."
He said the Strait of Hormuz must "immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolls," adding that freedom of navigation there is "vital for the entire world."
Costa also called for continued diplomatic efforts in Lebanon in full respect of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Von der Leyen said stability in the Middle East and the Gulf could not be achieved while Lebanon remained in crisis. She called for a permanent path toward easing tensions, saying a temporary pause in hostilities was not enough.
She also proposed expanding the scope of EU's missions, such as the bloc's Aspides naval mission, from maritime protection to "sophisticated joint maritime coordination."
The EU leaders also warned of the economic impact of the Middle East crisis, particularly on energy prices.
Von der Leyen said the EU's bill for imported fossil fuels had increased by more than 25 billion euros (29.28 billion U.S. dollars) since the beginning of the conflict, without bringing in additional energy supplies.
She said the EU would present an Electrification Action Plan by the summer, with the aim of accelerating the deployment of homegrown clean energy. ■