After the Iranian attack on Israel, Federal Foreign Minister Baerbock is on constant diplomatic mission: after talks in Jerusalem and before traveling to the G7 meeting in Capri, she warned again of an “escalation spiral” in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on Iran and Israel to exercise “maximum restraint” in view of the impending conflagration in the Middle East. A spiral of escalation would not serve anyone, the Green politician warned before a meeting of the group of seven major industrial nations (G7) on the Italian island of Capri. This applies to the security of Israel, the many dozens of hostages in the hands of Hamas, the population of Gaza, the people of Iran and also to other states in the region.
The meeting of G7 foreign ministers lasts until Friday. Italy is chairing the group this year. The USA, Canada, Great Britain, France and Japan as well as the EU are also included. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba are also expected in Capri. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is, alongside the Middle East conflict, the second defining topic of the meeting.
“Inflammatory hazards situation in the Middle East”
With regard to the Iranian attack on Israel, Baerbock said that they wanted to prevent the extremely dangerous situation in the Middle East from becoming a regional conflagration. “As the G7, we speak with one voice: all actors in the region are called upon to exercise maximum restraint,” said Baerbock.
Stronger anti-aircraft defenses called for in Ukraine
At the same time, she spoke out in favor of more help for Ukraine with air defense. “Stronger air defenses are a matter of survival for thousands of people in Ukraine and the best protection for our own security.” To do this, partners around the world would have to step up their efforts in defending against Russian terror from the air.
Large-scale operation to protect ministers
More than 1,300 police and other security forces are deployed on Capri to protect the ministers, most of them from mainland Italy. The island in the Gulf of Naples has fewer than 15,000 inhabitants. During the high season, however, a similar number or even more tourists come every day.