Near and Middle East
As Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the People of Iran and a Member of the Delegations for Relations to Afghanistan, Irak and the Arab Peninsula (substitute), I often travel to the Near and Middle East. Talking to those in power there is often a balancing act. We need to exchange with them, for example, to organise humanitarian aid or to fight the climate crisis. But it is just as important to clearly name those who commit human rights violations, to support civil society on the ground and to show solidarity with those who stand up for democracy and human rights, even when faced with tough opposition. For me, one thing is clear: a values-driven foreign policy tries to do justice to these different goals as best as it can.
And in doing so, we must not omit another issue: Worldwide, most military equipment is exported to the Near and Middle East. If you need proof that more weapons do not lead to more peace and security, countries like Yemen, Syria or Afghanistan are the best examples. In this context, we must critically rethink our own export policy.
More than 700,000 Afghans have already been deported from Iran in 2025 – many of them without documents, without protection, directly into the hands of the Taliban. A violation of international law.
Assad may be gone, but the hatred and division from his time persist. Syria is far from safe.
People in Iran, Israel, and Palestine are not collateral damage of geopolitics – they are the path to peace. Our foreign policy must focus on them.
The cycle of violence in the Middle East is escalating. What’s happening, what role Europe must play now, and what lies ahead.
I became the target of an Iranian cyberattack in March. Now, the European Parliament has officially confirmed the incident. Here's what has happened since:
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is worsening by the day. And Europe? Has remained silent for too long. It is high time we increase pressure on the Israeli government – so that humanitarian aid can reach those in need and the war be brought to an end.
The Iranian regime targeted me and my office in the European Parliament with a cyber attack. These attacks are meant to silence critics – that’s exactly why I’m speaking out now:
During the civil war and economic crisis in Syria, Assad and his close network amassed billions in wealth — some of which now is frozen in Europe. We need a solution to make this stolen money available to Syrians for reconstruction.
In 2024 alone, the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out 975 executions – and it hasn’t stopped. Here's how we can put pressure on the regime now:
Financial aid alone will not bring lasting peace. Reconstruction can only succeed if it goes hand in hand with accountability and transitional justice.
The Iranian regime's transnational repression in Europe is becoming a growing threat. This was the focus of the latest meeting of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the People of Iran.
From our biggest concern to our biggest partner. What European foreign policy can achieve in the region:
