President von der Leyer issued the following statement on 8 January 2020 after the special College meeting:
This morning the College met to discuss the situation stemming from the tensions in Iraq, Iran, the wider Middle East as well as Libya. And while we are standing here, we are still following the developments.
I would like to express my deepest condolences to all who lost their beloved ones in the crash of the Ukrainian aircraft this morning. At this moment, it is for the aviation security experts to investigate the cause of the crash, providing answers to this horrible tragedy.
The current crisis deeply affects not only the region but all of us. And the use of weapons must stop now to give space to dialogue.We are called upon to do everything possible to rekindle talks. There cannot be enough of that.The European Union in its own way has a lot to offer.
Read more