This Monday, European Union foreign ministers will discuss the United Nations Secretary General’s call for a humanitarian pause in the Middle East, given the deteriorating situation in Gaza.
At the entrance to the meeting that took place in Luxembourg, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, called for the release of Hamas hostages. And he insisted that rocket launches into Israel would stop.
“Hamas rockets and rocket attacks from Gaza must stop. The hostages, the kidnapped people must be released. This is clearly part of any step towards de-escalation, and we need to start thinking about how we can reinvigorate the political process.” , Borrell said, arguing that “the priority right now is providing humanitarian support to Gaza.”
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, says the arrival of humanitarian aid is insufficient. “On the first day twenty trucks were allowed in, yesterday there were twenty more. But in normal times, without war, a hundred trucks a day enter Gaza,” he said, noting that this remains the case, “that is why it is clear that twenty is not enough.”
On the other hand, “it is important to have fuel so that the power plant and desalination station work. Otherwise there is no water and no electricity. And without water and electricity, hospitals can hardly function,” he warned, as it pushes for discussion among the 27 on António Guterres’ call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
“It is clear that we will discuss the issue of a humanitarian force. There was a lot of debate about it in Cairo and the Secretary General of the United Nations had asked for it. And I am sure that leaders will discuss the issue at the next European Summit. How come we can’t discuss the issue? Certainly,” he stated.
Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho considered “it essential that there is an intense dialogue at this time with everyone, especially with the Arab countries, the countries in the region”, hoping that it will be possible to to make use of “this terrible, [e] tragic crisis to create a dynamic of peace”.
“This is what has been missing for the past fifteen years. Everyone suddenly became aware of the fact that there are deep problems that need to be solved in Palestine and in the relationship with Israel,” the minister said, believing that “if anything positive can come When we get out of here, I think it is our duty to create the conditions so that, after this immediate crisis and in solving the immediate problem, we can finally look at the solution of the states.”
Other topics
Next Monday, ministers will also hold a debate on Russian aggression against Ukraine, “with an emphasis on security obligations,” a Council note said. Gomes Cravinho considers it “fundamental that this war between Russia and Ukraine is not forgotten because of the events in the Middle East”, as “it is necessary to prevent Putin from becoming the winner of the Gaza crisis”.
The “evolution of the situation” between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be the subject of an exchange of views between ministers.
Sanctions
The Council today adopted a decision to extend the restrictive measures in force against the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, as well as against natural and legal persons, groups, companies and entities associated with them.”
“Currently, the sanctions regime in force applies to 14 people and 5 groups, who are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban to the EU. Furthermore, EU people and entities are prohibited from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to those subject to the sanctions regime,” said the note already published by the Council.
“The EU remains committed to taking action against those who threaten international peace and security by planning, financing and committing terrorist attacks and by spreading terrorist propaganda around the world,” the same note reads.
Source: DN
