In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Italy, Germany, the UK, Spain, Greece, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Latvia, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Japan, and others, along with the heads of the European Commission and European Council, expressed support for the temporary truce and thanked Pakistan and partners for facilitating the agreement.
They stressed that the next step must be to achieve a swift and lasting end to the conflict through diplomatic means, urging rapid progress toward a comprehensive settlement.
The statement highlighted the importance of protecting civilians in Iran and ensuring regional security, warning that failure to reach a deal could trigger a severe global energy crisis.
“We support these diplomatic efforts. To this end, we are in close contact with the United States and other partners. We call upon all sides to implement the ceasefire, including in Lebanon,” the statement said.
Pakistan, together with Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, managed to secure a two-week ceasefire Wednesday between Washington and Tehran, 40 days after the US and Israel initiated a war of aggression against Iran on Feb. 28.
As part of the ceasefire deal, the two sides agreed to meet in Islamabad for talks to negotiate a lasting peace.
Vice President JD Vance is representing the US, while the Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.