The European Parliament opened its plenary session in Strasbourg. At the beginning of today's session, the institution's president, Roberta Metzola, said that the EP has a history of proudly standing with the people of Iran amid recent events in the Middle East, BTA reported.
In her address to the EP members, Metzola recalled the calls for imposing sanctions on the Iranian regime and declaring the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization.
“We will continue to work for the people of Iran to live freely and determine their own destiny,“ she said.
In her words, Iran's ongoing attacks on the Persian Gulf countries represent the actions of a “desperate regime” that aims to create chaos throughout the region. “Immediate de-escalation is needed”, stressed Roberta Metsola.
Regarding the drone strike against a British base in Cyprus, the EP President said that European solidarity is real and tangible and Europe is united.
“The security of Cyprus is the security of the EU. Any threat against a member state is absolutely unacceptable”, Metsola added.
Despite everything, according to her, the EP continues to support the Iranian people. “This is a people who have been in darkness for decades. "Thousands have suffered at the hands of the Iranian regime and its proxies," she added.
The EP President highlighted the thousands of victims killed and missing and the violence against women, saying that after 47 years, this regime must end.
On Wednesday, 11 March, MEPs will debate the US and Israeli military operation against the Iranian regime, its consequences and the need to support the people of Iran.
On the day the first US and Israeli strikes were carried out on 28 February, Roberta Mezzola said that events in Iran must not lead to an escalation that could endanger the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
The EP's agenda also includes a debate ahead of the European Union summit on 19-20 March. The debate is also expected to cover Europe's ongoing efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, as well as measures to manage migration flows and strengthen the protection of external borders.