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PM, EC President call for de-escalation amid Iran-Israel tensions

Published : 20 Apr 2024, 01:22

Updated : 20 Apr 2024, 01:32

  DF News Desk
Prime Minister Orpo and President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Lappeenranta and Imatra border crossing on Friday, April 19, 2024.Photo: Finnish government by Lauri Heikkinen.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Friday urged de-escalation amid Iran-Israel tensions, reported Xinhua.

They made these comments at a press conference held at southeastern Finland's Lappeenranta airport on Friday. The event followed a visit to the Finnish eastern border near the town of Imatra.

"We must do everything possible to ensure that all sides refrain from escalating the situation in the region," said von der Leyen. She emphasized the necessity for stabilizing in the region.

Orpo expressed hope that both sides would avoid retaliatory attacks.

According to local media reports, the purpose of their visit to the eastern border was to inspect a pilot fence, about three kilometers long, built near the Imatra border crossing.