VDL: Shed no tears for the Iranian regime

There should be no tears shed for the Iranian regime that has inflicted death and imposed repression on its own people, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on March 9.

“They slaughtered 17 000 of their own young people,” Von der Leyen said in an opening speech at the annual conference of EU ambassadors, being held in Brussels from March 9 to 13.

She was speaking in the wake of the current conflict that began on February 28 when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, with that country responding by firing missiles at Israel and a large number of countries throughout the region.

Von der Leyen said that the Iranian regime had caused devastation and destabilisation across the region through its proxies armed with missiles and drones.

“Many Iranians, inside the country and across Europe and the world, have celebrated Ayatollah Khamenei’s demise,” she said.

“As have many more people across the region.”

“They hope that this moment can open a path towards a free Iran. The people of Iran deserve freedom, dignity, and the right to decide their own future – even if we know this will be fraught with danger and instability during and after the war,” Von der Leyen said.

“And beyond this, we are now seeing a regional conflict with unintended consequences.”

And the spillover is already a reality today – whether on energy and finance, trade and transport, or the displacement of people, Von der Leyen said.

British military bases have been targeted in Cyprus – “who I want to reaffirm our full solidarity with”.

Nato troops have been called upon to shoot down a drone, she said.

“Our citizens are caught in the crossfire. Our partners are being attacked – and I have been in touch with many of them across the region to express our solidarity and support.”

And the longer-term impact is already posing existential questions, Von der Leyen said.

She said that the conference would discuss the future of the international rules-based system, or on how Europe finds unity in these situations.

“All of this shows how precarious the global situation is today, how diverse the threats are, and how Europe will always be affected by what happens around the world.

“So the idea that we can simply retrench and withdraw from this chaotic world is simply a fallacy. I believe it is vital that we understand this as we shape our foreign policy for the year ahead.”

Von der Leyen said that her message is clear: “Europe will always stand with Ukraine – no matter what is happening elsewhere”.

“We all want this horror and bloodshed to end. And no one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine.”

But the war must end in a way that does not sow the seeds for future conflicts, she said.

“And this is what we continue to work on every day – with Ukraine and with our partners – to deliver real long-term security for Ukraine. So that we can secure a full, just and lasting peace.”

What Ukraine needs now is, first and foremost, sustained financial support, Von der Leyen said.

“This is why we proposed a 90 billion euro loan to finance Ukraine’s needs.

“You have all seen the challenges we have faced in getting this over the line – even after all 27 leaders have agreed to it. This goes back to the point that I made earlier about whether our system is still able to deliver efficiently. But I can assure you that we will deliver on our commitments, because our credibility – and more importantly, our security – is at stake.”

The same logic applies to enlargement, Von der Leyen said.

“There has been much debate on how we deliver in a timely manner on this merits-based process.

“But it is of paramount importance that we get ready – by bringing the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine closer to our Union already now. Enlargement is not about ideology – it is a matter of European common interest and security. And we must be ready to deliver as soon as the time comes,” she said.

(Photo: EC Audiovisual Service)