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.
Five years after the Taliban’s takeover, they systematically erase women from public life, persecute journalists, and suppress any form of resistance. Yet the EU is discussing deportations with the Taliban. Europe must not sacrifice the safety of Afghans, or its own principles, for deportation deals.
The United States and Iran have agreed on a framework for further negotiations. But this is no time for euphoria. Europe must consistently defend international law and keep up the pressure on the Iranian regime.
While the world debates Iran’s nuclear programme, missiles, and the Strait of Hormuz, millions of people in Iran are facing repression, executions, and isolation. We have to put the people of Iran back at the centre of Europe’s Iran policy.
Women and girls in Afghanistan are being systematically stripped of their rights. Yet, the EU wants to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels to talk about deportations. In my speech in the European Parliament, I sharply criticised this approach and called on the Commission to withdraw the invitation.
How do the Gulf states view the war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States? What impact does the escalation have on security, the global economy, and international shipping routes? As part of an ad hoc mission of the European Parliament, I travelled to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to express solidarity and discuss closer cooperation between the EU and the Gulf states.
During plenary this week, I addressed Europe’s approach to the Iranian regime. We cannot allow Iran to blackmail us via the Strait of Hormuz. Human rights must be central to any negotiations.
In the Committee on Foreign Affairs with representatives of the Iranian opposition to discuss the situation in Iran and made clear: negotiations must put the people of Iran at the center.
Ich habe letzte Woche die Ausstellung über das syrische Gefängnis Sednaya in Berlin besucht. Diese Dokumentation ist zentral für Aufarbeitung, Wahrheitsfindung und zukünftige Gerechtigkeit in Syrien.
While the world watches rockets and memes, the Iranian regime is killing its citizens in the shadow of war. It is our responsibility to make this visible.
People in Iran hope for the end of the regime—while at the same time fearing even greater repression as a result of the war. As the US, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate militarily, Europe must take a clear stand for de-escalation, international law, and support for Iranian civil society.
My assessment of the latest developments involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The regime in Iran systematically and brutally suppresses any form of dissent. In the European Parliament, we once again debated the situation in Iran during plenary and adopted a resolution. We must decisively increase pressure on the regime and provide meaningful support to the people of Iran.