EU to put new sanctions in place against Iran, Michel says

(17 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brussels - 18 April 2024
1. European Council President, Charles Michel, walking to speak to reporters
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Michel, President of the European Council:
"We condemn this attack launched by Iran against Israel. We have decided to put sanctions, to put in place the sanctions, against Iran. This is a clear signal that we want to send. And we also want to do everything to protect the civilians. Each civilian life matters. We call on the release, (inaudible) any conditions, of all hostages. We call (for) a ceasefire - an immediate, ceasefire. And we want the humanitarian access for the people in need in Gaza."
3. Close of camera
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Charles Michel, President of the European Council:
"This is not a question of months, this is questions of days and weeks and it is very important that we deliver on our promises, and I can reassure you that all the stakeholders, all the actors, they are doing everything possible to speed up, to make more efforts. You know that in a very short period of time, we have increased our defense capabilities in terms of manufacturing, production and manufacturing capacities. But it is not enough. We need to do more, point one. And we are also looking, if it's possible, also to use more the stocks that are available, especially in the field of the air defence systems."
5. Michel surrounded by media
STORYLINE:
The European Union will ramp up sanctions against Iran as concern grows that Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East.

European Council President Charles Michel said overnight on Thursday the measures would serve as a "clear signal" to Iran.

In a statement released after the first day of their summit in Brussels, which also focused on the war in Ukraine and ways to boost the bloc’s economic competitiveness, the leaders warned that the EU "will take further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.”

Concern has grown that Iran's attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the summit to remind the leaders that his country still badly needs support to combat Russia's invasion.

Zelenskyy asked for more air defences, including Patriot missile systems.

His message was heard.

Michel said it is "very important that we deliver on our promises, and I can reassure you that all the stakeholders, all the actors, they are doing everything possible to speed up, to make more efforts."

Michel, who chaired the summit, said that Zelenskyy had asked the Europeans to help convince the U.S. to speed up the delivery of arms and funding for Ukraine's war-battered economy.

Michel said the leaders agreed that Europe should also provide help more quickly.

“This is not a question of months, it’s a question of days and weeks. It’s very important that we deliver,” he told reporters after the meeting.

On Thursday, the summit will focus on how to bolster the EU’s competitiveness and improve the single market.

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