G7 Foreign Ministers in Paris Back U.S.-Led Ukraine Talks and Say Europe Must Have a Seat; They Condemn Iran's Disruption of Hormuz

Status: The joint declaration records the position of the G7 foreign ministers and the E.U. high representative after their meeting in Paris on Nov. 9 and 10. It is not a peace agreement.

The ministers, representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus the European Union, "reiterated our support to ongoing US-led efforts to facilitate peace through direct and serious negotiations." They "reaffirmed the importance of securing a full, comprehensive, and reciprocal ceasefire." A "reciprocal halt to attacks on all energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea," they said, would protect civilians, reduce disruption to energy, water, sanitation, and food supplies, and support greater stability in global markets, and would be "an important first step towards just and lasting peace." They added: "We reiterated that negotiations on the future security of Europe must include the Europeans."

The declaration also restated support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and pledged to continue efforts on air defense, long-range capabilities, and help getting the country through the winter. It condemned military assistance to Russia from North Korea and Iran, and the provision of weapons, military training, and dual-use components by China.

Iran and the Strait of Hormuz

On Iran, the ministers supported diplomatic efforts toward a settlement that addresses concerns over Iran's nuclear program, repeated that Iran must never be allowed to develop or acquire a nuclear weapon, and said that, absent a diplomatic solution, they would continue to coordinate economic and political pressure. They "strongly condemned Iran's attacks against its neighbours and the disruption of international trade, energy security, and the global economy caused by the obstruction of transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz." They called on Iran to cease "persistent attacks against civilian vessels" in the strait, reaffirmed "the right of safe and free passage," and stated their "opposition to any tolls, fees, illegal costs, discriminations or any limitation imposed on maritime transit through the Strait."

During the same meetings in Paris, Canada announced that it was reimposing sanctions on 11 Iranian entities under its Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, Global Affairs Canada said.

For the U.S.-mediated talks the ministers said they support, see U.S.-Mediated Talks in Abu Dhabi End With Agreement on a Large Prisoner Swap. For reporting on tanker incidents in the strait, see Iran Reports Tanker Blasts in the Strait of Hormuz; UKMTO Confirms an Incident.