Taoiseach: EU far too passive for far too long over Middle East conflict

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the EU has been ‘far too passive for far too long’ in its efforts to secure a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East (Brian Lawless/PA)

The EU has been “far too passive for far too long” in its efforts to secure a lasting peace settlement in the Middle East, the Taoiseach has said.

Leo Varadkar said he will use next week’s meeting of the European Council to urge fellow EU leaders to agree a joint call for a renewed ceasefire and for them to press harder for the “two-state solution” peace model for Israel and Palestine.