European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned Friday that talks aimed at ending the US-Israeli war with Iran could produce a weaker outcome on Tehran’s nuclear program than the 2015 accord unless technical specialists are included.
“If the talks are only about the nuclear [issue] and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPoA was,” Kallas told reporters during the second day of an informal EU leaders summit in Cyprus.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), agreed in 2015, took two years to negotiate and involved roughly 200 experts in nuclear physics, sanctions, finance and law. The United States withdrew from the deal in 2018, and this week former President Donald Trump pledged to pursue a “far better” nuclear agreement.
Kallas said negotiators must not restrict discussions to nuclear restrictions alone. She urged that Iran’s missile programs, backing for proxy groups, and hybrid and cyber activities affecting Europe also be addressed, warning that ignoring these dimensions could leave the region facing “a more dangerous Iran.”
Summit discussions
EU leaders used the Cyprus summit to press for a long-term plan to address the Iran conflict and held talks with regional officials ahead of wider negotiations. “Europe must do even more,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in Nicosia, arguing that restoring stability quickly serves global economic interests.
Leaders scheduled a working lunch with representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Cyprus, the summit host and roughly 300 kilometers from Lebanon’s coast, has felt the repercussions of the conflict after an Iranian drone struck a British military base on the island soon after hostilities began.
The summit also moved to clarify how the EU’s mutual assistance clause would function if a member is attacked, reflecting rising attention to defense as some question the reliability of NATO’s external guarantees.
EU budget debate
Before turning fully to Iran, leaders spent time debating the EU’s next long-term budget for 2028–2034. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opposed raising member contributions or taking on new debt, saying, “Europe must make do with the money we have,” and suggesting new priorities will require cuts elsewhere.
The European Commission has proposed a significantly larger budget — roughly €2 trillion — aimed at repaying pandemic-related borrowing and financing priorities such as competitiveness and defense. Achieving that goal will be challenging while many member states face strained public finances.
Support for Ukraine
On Thursday, summit participants met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and approved a €90 billion loan package for Kyiv, while adopting the European Union’s 20th sanctions package against Russia. Kallas said the bloc is already preparing a 21st round of measures. “We’re really pushing to go on the 21st package of sanctions,” she said, framing it as a message that Russia cannot wait out the EU and that support for Ukraine will continue.
Edited by: Sean Sinico