BRUSSELS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that there could be no stability in the Middle East while Lebanon is in flames, adding that restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is of "paramount importance."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

As peace talks between the United States and Iran concluded in Islamabad without an agreement, regional mediators are racing to secure a second round of negotiations within days to prevent the collapse of the two-week ceasefire, the Wall Street Journal reported. However, Israel expanded its ground offensive in Lebanon on Monday, a day before Israeli and Lebanese officials are due to begin direct talks in Washington.

Speaking after a meeting of the European Commission's College of Commissioners, von der Leyen said the European Union (EU) is concerned that continuous strikes on Lebanon could derail the entire process, and called on all parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and implement a complete cessation of hostilities.

She said the crisis has brought an enormous economic impact on the EU, with the bloc's bill for fossil fuels imports rising by over 22 billion euros (about 25.72 billion U.S. dollars) since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.

She warned that even if hostilities ceased immediately, disruptions to energy supplies from the Gulf would persist for some time to come.

Von der Leyen added that the Commission had discussed a series of measures to be presented to leaders attending an informal EU meeting in Cyprus next week, including coordinated oil stock releases and consultations with member states on more flexible national rules. She said that legislative proposals on electricity taxes and grid charges would be presented in May.