Slovakia urges de-escalation amid rising Israel-Iran tensions
- Marek Eštok attended an informal EU video conference on June 17, 2025.
- EU officials called for an urgent de-escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran.
- Slovakia received praise for its swift response in evacuating citizens from the conflict zone.
On June 17, 2025, Marek Eštok, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, participated in an informal video conference with EU foreign ministers concerning the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. This diplomatic meeting aimed to address the urgent situation that unfolded after Israel conducted airstrikes against Iran on June 13, which Israel justified as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In response to the attacks, Iran retaliated with strikes of its own, intensifying the growing tensions between the two nations. During the video conference, EU ministers and state secretaries collectively underscored the importance of de-escalating the situation and returning to diplomatic discussions, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program. There was a unified call from all participating states emphasizing that Iran must never develop nuclear weapons while asserting the necessity to resume negotiations regarding the nuclear agreement. The dialogue highlighted the EU's commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region. Marek Eštok also expressed concern regarding the economic ramifications of the ongoing conflict during his address. He proposed postponing discussions on the European Commission’s REPower EU plan, which aims to halt the importation of Russian energy by the end of 2027. Eštok argued that such measures should be deferred to protect the energy security and maintain the competitiveness of Slovakia and the broader European Union. Several member states acknowledged Slovakia’s rapid and competent support in evacuating their citizens from Israel and Jordan, which was ongoing at the time of the conference. This operation involved collaboration with the ministries of defense and interior to ensure the safe return of individuals from multiple countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, and others. The logistical challenges of the evacuation highlighted Slovakia’s commitment to its allies, demonstrating solidarity amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.