Latest news with #ChristianWagner
Shafaq News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israeli strikes on Syria: Broad condemnation, Washington calls it "misunderstanding"
Shafaq News – Damascus/Middle East/Europe/USA A wave of international and regional reactions emerged on Wednesday following Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple areas in Syria, including facilities affiliated with the Syrian state. US President Donald Trump described the situation as a 'misunderstanding' between the Syrian and Israeli sides, stating that he had spoken with both parties and was looking forward to reducing tensions and 'helping Syria achieve stability.' The European Union expressed concern over the clashes in Syria, urging 'all parties' to protect civilians 'without discrimination.' In an official statement, the EU also called for respect for Syria's sovereignty 'amid the increase in Israeli strikes on Syrian territory.' German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christian Wagner stressed that Syria must not become 'a pawn in the hands of foreign powers,' adding that Syria's sovereignty 'must clearly be protected.' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the Israeli attacks, calling for an end to what he described as the Israeli military's 'blatant aggression.' Posting on X, he referred to Israel as a "savage regime," reaffirming Iran's support for 'Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' and pledging continued backing for the Syrian people. Unfortunately, this was all too predictable. Which capital is next?The rabid Israeli regime knows no bounds and only grasps one language. The world, including the region, must unite to end its unhinged supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 16, 2025 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also criticized what he called 'the repeated Israeli assaults ' on Damascus and Syrian government facilities, denouncing them 'in the strongest terms.' دان رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون بأشد العبارات الاعتداءات الإسرائيلية المتكررة على الأراضي السورية، والتي بلغت اليوم العاصمة دمشق ومقرات حكومية، معتبراً أنها تُشكّل انتهاكاً صارخاً لسيادة دولة عربية شقيقة وللقانون الدولي وميثاق الأمم المتحدة.وأكد الرئيس عون أنّ استمرار هذه… — Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) July 16, 2025 The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement deploring the 'Israeli escalation ' against Syria, affirming the UAE's support for Syria's stability and territorial unity. Lebanese group Hezbollah called the Israeli strike 'part of the enemy's broader plan to violate nations and sow discord,' framing it as a continuation of a broader series of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iran. Palestinian factions Hamas and Islamic Jihad also issued condemnations. Hamas labeled the strike 'a blatant violation of national sovereignty and an act of organized terror,' while Islamic Jihad said the attack was an attempt to impose Israeli objectives at the expense of Syria's unity and national integrity.
Daily Tribune
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Hundreds of Europeans repatriated from Israel
AFP | European countries on Wednesday repatriated hundreds of their citizens from Israel as its conflict with Iran raged, their respective foreign ministries said. Germany was expected to transport some 200 people via a commercial flight chartered in Jordan, its foreign ministry spokesman Christian Wagner said. A second flight out of Amman was scheduled for Thursday, he added. In Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said flights had been made available to Italian nationals wishing to leave Israel. Greece said it had repatriated 105 of its citizens plus a number of foreign nationals. "The people repatriated were transported to Athens from Sharm El-Sheikh, in Egypt, onboard C-130 and C-27 Greek air force planes," it said in a statement. Along with Greek citizens and their families, other people on the flight included citizens of Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States, it said. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on X that a first group of Poles was able to return to their home country, with another flight scheduled for Thursday. In Sofia, a private plane with 148 evacuated people, including 89 Bulgarians, landed on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. Foreigners have rushed to leave Israel after it launched an unprecedented bombing campaign last Friday targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, sparking retaliation from Tehran.
Al Arabiya
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Germany defends EU-Israel deal as ‘important forum' for talks
Germany on Wednesday defended an EU-Israel cooperation deal, a day after the bloc had ordered a review of it in a bid to pressure Israel over the Gaza war. Without explicitly confirming media reports that Berlin had opposed the review, foreign ministry spokesman Christian Wagner said that 'the EU-Israel Association Agreement is an important forum that we must use in order to discuss critical questions' over the situation in Gaza. The review announced on Tuesday comes as some European nations take a tougher line with Israel over the devastating impact of its offensive in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the territory. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said 'a strong majority' of the 27 member states had backed the review. Diplomats said 17 EU states pressed for the review under an article of the agreement that calls for a respect for human rights, with the Netherlands spearheading the latest push. On Monday the leaders of Britain, France and Canada condemned Israel's 'egregious actions' in Gaza and warned of joint action if it did not halt its heightened military offensive there. On Wednesday Stefan Kornelius, spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reiterated Germany's 'great concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza' but stopped short of mentioning any possible further action. Wagner also confirmed that on Tuesday nine German nationals had been evacuated from Gaza 'in close co-ordination with the Israeli government', together with three of their immediate family members.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Germany defends EU-Israel agreement as 'important forum' for talks
Germany has defended a cooperation deal between the European Union and Israel, a day after the bloc ordered a review of it in a bid to pressure Israel over the war in Gaza. Without explicitly confirming media reports that Berlin had opposed the review, foreign ministry spokesman Christian Wagner said that "the EU-Israel Association Agreement is an important forum that we must use in order to discuss critical questions" over the situation in the territory. The review announced yesterday came as some European nations take a tougher line with Israel over the impact of its offensive in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis unfolding there. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said that "a strong majority" of the 27 member states had backed the review. Diplomats said that 17 countries pressed for the review under an article of the agreement that calls for a respect for human rights, with the Netherlands spearheading the latest push. On Monday. the leaders of the UK, France and Canada condemned Israel's "egregious actions" in Gaza and warned of joint action if it did not halt its heightened military offensive. Yesterday, Stefan Kornelius, spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reiterated Germany's "great concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza" but stopped short of mentioning any possible further action. Mr Wagner also confirmed that nine German nationals had been evacuated from Gaza "in close coordination with the Israeli government", along with three of their immediate family members.
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Germany defends EU-Israel deal as ‘important forum' for talks
BERLIN: Germany on Wednesday defended an EU-Israel cooperation deal, a day after the bloc had ordered a review of it in a bid to pressure Israel over the Gaza war. Without explicitly confirming media reports that Berlin had opposed the review, foreign ministry spokesman Christian Wagner said that 'the EU-Israel Association Agreement is an important forum that we must use in order to discuss critical questions' over the situation in Gaza. The review announced on Tuesday comes as some European nations take a tougher line with Israel over the devastating impact of its offensive in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the territory. Israel says 'external pressure will not divert' it after UK pauses trade talks EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said 'a strong majority' of the 27 member states had backed the review. Diplomats said 17 EU states pressed for the review under an article of the agreement that calls for a respect for human rights, with the Netherlands spearheading the latest push. On Monday the leaders of Britain, France and Canada condemned Israel's 'egregious actions' in Gaza and warned of joint action if it did not halt its heightened military offensive there. On Wednesday Stefan Kornelius, spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reiterated Germany's 'great concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza' but stopped short of mentioning any possible further action. Wagner also confirmed that on Tuesday nine German nationals had been evacuated from Gaza 'in close co-ordination with the Israeli government', together with three of their immediate family members.
