Europe Welcomes Iran-US Ceasefire, New Hope for Middle East Stability
A number of countries in the European region have given positive responses to the temporary ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, lasting for two weeks. This support was conveyed through various statements on social media, as quoted from RIA Novosti in Moscow on Wednesday (8/4).
Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, was one of the officials who welcomed the agreement. She also reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining the freedom of international shipping lanes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.
“We welcome the fact that the United States and Iran, after important mediation efforts by, among others, Pakistan, have agreed to a joint ceasefire for two weeks, which can also create conditions for restoring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Stenergard wrote on X.
Similar support came from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He hopes this step will be the beginning of a more permanent resolution to the conflict in the region. Merz also appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating the mediation process between the two countries.
According to him, dialogue between the United States and Iran makes an important contribution to protecting Iranian civilians and maintaining security stability in the Middle East region. He also assessed that this development has the potential to prevent a global energy crisis.
Meanwhile, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb expressed his support for sustainable peace efforts. He emphasised that Finland will continue to push for the resolution of conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East region as a whole.
The same sentiment was expressed by Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who sees this ceasefire as an important opportunity for diplomatic channels to resume operation.
“I welcome the temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States. This gives diplomacy a chance at a time when the world is on the brink of dangerous escalation,” the minister stated on X.
Previously, on Tuesday night local time, US President Donald Trump announced that his side had reached a bilateral ceasefire agreement with Iran for two weeks. He also mentioned that Iran is willing to reopen access to the Strait of Hormuz.
On the other hand, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that Tehran will begin further talks with the United States this coming Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan.
This agreement is seen as an important momentum in easing global tensions and opening opportunities for long-term stability in the Middle East region.
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