The Secretary General of the Council of Europe calls for a common legal framework to respond to the conflict in the Middle East

Alain Berset, the secretary general of the European Council, called on Sunday for coordinated European action to respond to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and to strengthen a common legal framework at the level of the 46 member states, at a time when tensions are expanding rapidly in the region.

Alain Berset, Secretary General of the European Council

“The Middle East is headed for a full-scale conflict on the immediate borders of the Council of Europe. Civilians in Iran and across the region are bearing the brunt,” Berset conveyed, stressing that the military escalation turned international law into a “weapon”.

He explained that the current crisis “underlines the need for a common European legal framework across the 46 member states, capable of adjudicating violations, use of force and sanctions, ensuring continuous and coherent decisions without paralysis”. “What was once a discussion is now a strategic necessity”added the European official.

Berset warned that the situation cannot be reduced to a simple choice between condemnation and support, regardless of the leadership and nature of the regime in Tehran. He pointed out that the world is crossing “a phase of deconstruction of the international order, in which the impulses and power of the most powerful seek to govern relations between states.” “This world has no legal order, only force and double standards,” he added, referring to the crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela or even Greenland.

The Secretary General criticized Europe's reliance on ad-hoc formats.

“Too often, pan-European security is based on ad-hoc formats, with no common legal basis, no permanent decision-making authority and no structures to ensure continuity. This fragmentation is no longer sustainable,” he said.

Berset launched concrete calls: “Europe must act to de-escalate the conflict in the Gulf while protecting the safety of its citizens in the region.” He insisted on respect for international law and the United Nations Charter and called for “the immediate cessation of hostilities by all parties”.

The Secretary General also stated that he will introduce the topic of the escalation of the conflict on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe “to initiate a collective reflection on Europe's ability to respond coherently and within a common legal framework”. “Time is of the essence. If we do not organize collective European security into a permanent and binding legal structure, it will remain reactive to crises created by others,” warned Berset, adding that “the only alternative is the restoration of security and authority based on law.”

“The conflict unfolding in Iran, Israel and the entire Gulf is a test of Europe: will it shape the new international order or only observe its fragmentation?” concluded Alain Berset, emphasizing that inaction is not prudence, but “abdication”.