European Union (EU) leaders said on Monday that the bloc was ready to play a role in easing tensions in the Middle East, calling for de-escalation and a return to negotiations.
The EU stands ready to "contribute in every possible way to help de-escalate the situation and facilitate the return to the negotiating table," European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement following a video conference with leaders from the region.
They added that dialogue and diplomacy remain "the only viable way forward."
Von der Leyen and Costa also reaffirmed the EU's commitment to regional stability in the Middle East, calling for the protection of civilians and full respect for international law, international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, according to the statement.