Foreign Policy: EU leaders criticised Iran and Syria for destabilising the Middle East and warned that the region faced one of the worst crises in recent years.
In a tough communique published at the end of their summit, the EU deplored Iran's failure to take steps to resolve the nuclear programme issue, and condemned its threat against Israel and its denial of the Holocaust.
"The European Council expresses its concern about the negative impact of Iranian policies on stability and security in the Middle East," the summit concluded. It went on to criticise a conference in Tehran this week that disputed the fact of the Holocaust. Diplomats said the statement reflected a hardening in the EU's attitude toward Iran following years of talks on its nuclear programme that have yielded little. The statement also threatened Iran with the prospect of economic sanctions if it did not meet obligations set by the UN Security Council.
Talks between the EU 3 - Germany, France and Britain - with Iran over uranium enrichment collapsed in October when Tehran rejected the EU demand that it suspend its activities.
Iran argues that its nuclear activities are solely for civilian purposes, while the EU believes it is trying to develop weapons.
EU leaders were also deeply critical about the inflammatory comments of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He has increased tensions with the union by referring to Nazi Germany's killing of six million Jews in the second World War as a "myth" and warning that Israel's days are numbered. Diplomats said a security council resolution on sanctions on Iran was possible within the next two weeks.
The EU also expressed its concern over Syria's role in the Middle East, demanding that it "end all interference in Lebanese internal affairs and actively engage in the stabilisation of Lebanon and the region".
It also said Syria needed to be in a position to develop normal relations with the international community and the EU.
The statement follows the publication of the Iraq Study Group report, which urged US president George Bush to talk to both Iran and Damascus to try to stabilise the situation in Iraq. It reflected a tough line promoted by France in the talks, compared to a more conciliatory tone adopted by Italy, Britain and Germany.
French president Jacques Chirac condemned "a destabilisation offensive" against the elected government of Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora. He was referring to mass protests by Hizbullah, backed by Syria and Iran, and other pro-Syrian opposition groups which aim to topple the western-backed government.
EU leaders also called for an end to the violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and urged Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to resume dialogue with Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert. They also expressed deep concern about the situation in Darfur and discussed the possibility of sending a mission to Afghanistan to help train the new police force.