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Gulf security linked to Europe's - Mogherini

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini
BRUSSELS, July 17 (KUNA) -- The security situation in both the Gulf region and the European Union are linked together, due to close relations between the two sides, said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini Tuesday night.
Speaking before the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg, the outgoing senior official said the current tension is very much on the minds of all the leaders, and regional cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States is beneficial to all.
She referred to her recent visit to Kuwait and Iraq last Saturday and Sunday, "Together we discussed how we can avoid further escalation," noting that the EU is supporting Kuwait, which is trying to build bridges and open channels of communication.
Mogherini stressed that preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is in the security interest of Europe and the world.
"We don't want to see a military escalation in our region nor do we want to see a nuclear-arms race. Without the nuclear deal the situation in the Gulf will be even more difficult," said the EU foreign policy chief.
She warned that miscalculations can happen and called on all leaders to exercise maximum restraint.
"That is why we are doing everything to save the nuclear deal after the US unilateral withdrawal," she said.
She criticized Iran's decision to breach the deal by increasing its uranium enrichment beyond the limit set and urged it to go back to full compliance. "We will continue to do everything we can to save the deal," she underlined. (end) nk.nhq