Brussels, my love? MEPs panic about Middle East escalation
In the hot seat
We are joined this week by the Lithuanian MEP Virginijus Sinkevičius from the Greens, Spanish Socialist MEP Hana Jalloul Muro and Italian centre right MEP Herbert Dorfmann from South Tyrol.
Middle East escalation - the EU on the side lines?
The panel reflect on the ongoing Israel-Iran war that has dominated the news this week. An emergency debate was held in Strasbourg in the presence of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. She warned MEPs that the US should not get involved in the conflict, as it could drag the entire Middle East into a wider more dangerous predicament.
Kaja Kallas also told MEPs this week that the ongoing Israel-Iran war should not overshadow the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. Virginijus Sinkevičius fears the war could drag on.
"I see that the situation is not going to be resolved easily, because I think Israel has taken a decision. The big question now is what could be the consequences."
As MEPs were gathered in Strasbourg, an EU foreign ministers meeting took place in Brussels this week and 17 of the 27 member states backed a move to review the EU-Israel association agreement—pushing a process that began with the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland. The deal was sealed in 1995 and came into force in 2000.
Herbert Dorfmann said his group is against suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
"I think this doesn't make sense in this moment. We need to further work on a diplomatic basis," he said.
China - a friend or foe for the EU?
The panel also discussed the EU China summit that will take place at the end of July. Brussels hopes the occasion will provide better access to Chinese rare earths and critical minerals.
All MEPs agreed the EU and China should be friends but that a level playing field was a necessity.
"Access to our market is a privilege," Virginijus Sinkevičius said adding that China should play by the same rules.
"We need to be intelligent and have leadership," said Hana Jalloul Muro.
Banning social media under 15 - A good call?
Finally, MEPs chewed over French President Macron's calls to ban social media for under-15's in France. Greece and Spain are also trying to push for more EU action on this topic.
However, all three politicians agreed that education was key and an outright ban may not have desired effects.
"Well, good luck!! Is it really up to the state to do that?" Herbert Dorfmann quipped.
Watch "Brussels, my love?" in the player above.
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