“Our governments will help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” This is what we read in the joint declaration signed by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Prime Ministers Keir Starmer (United Kingdom), Mark Carney (Canada), Mette Frederiksen (Denmark), Rob Jetten (Netherlands), Pedro Sanchez (Spain), the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa. The note was also published on the Palazzo Chigi website.
The note from Meloni and the other leaders on peace in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
“We welcome the two-week ceasefire concluded today between the United States and Iran” begin the leaders of the signatory countries. “We thank Pakistan and all partners involved for facilitating this important agreement. The goal now must be to negotiate a swift and lasting end to the conflict” and “it can only be achieved through diplomatic means”.
“We strongly encourage rapid progress towards a concrete negotiated resolution” it continues. “This will be critical to protecting Iran’s civilian population and ensuring security in the region.” Furthermore, it is underlined, only with negotiation is it possible to “avoid a serious global energy crisis”.
“We support these diplomatic efforts” conclude the leaders. “To this end, we are in close contact with the United States and other partners. We urge all parties to implement the ceasefire, including in Lebanon. Our governments will help guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This declaration – is the message that Meloni and the signatories send – is open to other partners”.