EU foreign policy chief likens Middle East to 'boiler that can explode'

By Nur Asena Erturk

The Middle East is a "boiler that can explode," and everybody should try to avoid an escalation, the EU's foreign policy chief said Saturday.

EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Africa, Ukraine, the Middle East and the Red Sea, Josep Borrell told reporters at the doorstep of the informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.

He stressed Israel was continuing to push at least one million Palestinians toward the Egyptian border in the south.

"We have been repeating once and again that the Middle East is a boiler that can explode ... That is why we call everybody to try to avoid an escalation.

"We are living a critical situation in the Middle East... And as far as the war in Gaza continues, it is very difficult to believe that the situation in the Red Sea will improve."

- Importance of Türkiye

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said, for her part, that the ministers will also discuss the relations with Türkiye.

She stressed that Türkiye was an important partner within NATO.

"Türkiye has played an important role in the recent conflict when it comes about the Middle East but also, especially when it comes about the Russian aggression against Ukraine," Lahbib noted.

The minister reiterated her country's stance, which is to call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, respecting access to humanitarian aid, and efforts for a two-state solution.

"It is a real risk of spillover of the conflict, that's what we want to avoid absolutely," the Belgian minister said.

The ministers gathered on Friday for a two-day informal meeting. EU-Africa relations, EU-Türkiye relations, the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East are the main topics on the agenda.