The European Commission announced the initiation of rescue operations to bring back European citizens stranded in the Middle East, with two flights recently landing in Romania. A total of 356 individuals were evacuated from Oman, marking the first use of the Commission's RescEU transport and logistics capabilities, which are deployed at the request of Romanian authorities. When a member state is unable to provide transportation capacity in response to a request for assistance, RescEU can be activated to cover up to 100% of transportation costs.

This operation is notable as it showcases the EU's commitment to providing assistance when national capabilities have reached their limits. EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib emphasized the importance of solidarity among member states, stating that the EU will step in to offer strong support in times of crisis. The RescEU airlift aims to facilitate the return of European citizens who find themselves in difficult situations abroad, reinforcing the EU's crisis preparedness and management strategies.

As the evacuation flights progress, the situation of stranded citizens is being monitored closely, and further operations may be planned depending on circumstances in the Middle East. The cooperation between EU institutions and member states is crucial to ensuring that citizens can return home safely and efficiently, highlighting the role of the European Union as a key player in international crisis response efforts.