The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the European Union is meeting today, May 27, 2024, in Brussels, with two key issues on the agenda.
As for the Middle Eastthe discussion in the Council will be held together with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the Emirates, Qatar and the Secretary General of the Arab League.
Borrell: We will listen to our counterparts’ ideas on how we can support the Palestinian Authority
Coming to the Council this morning, the EU High Representative, Joseph Borelstated that its foreign ministers EU they will hear their counterparts’ ideas “on how we can support the Palestinian Authority”. Discussions will also focus on how the EU can contribute to a peace process and a two-state solution.
Z. Borel referred to the request of the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court in The Hague for arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and his Minister of Defense Israelas well as to three of its leading executives Hamas, saying that “we must respect the work of the International Court of Justice and let it decide, without intimidation.” He added that the accusation of anti-Semitism once morest the Attorney General is “unacceptable” “and very serious”.
He also noted that with the Arab counterparts, the fact that Israel continues its military operations in Rafah, despite the order of the International Court of Justice to immediately suspend them, will be discussed. “This is the dilemma of the international community,” he said: how to implement the International Court of Justice ruling. He also referred to today’s Israeli attack with at least 30 dead in a refugee camp near Rafah.
At the same time, discussions in the Council will focus on the urgent response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. J. Borel said that he will present his proposal on the renewal of the EU Civilian Border Mission in Rafah (EUBAM Rafah) in order to facilitate humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. He explained that the EU has received requests from various parties, including Israel, to study the possibility of reactivating the mission.
In the Foreign Affairs Council the recognition of the State of Palestine by Ireland, Spain and Norway
At the Council, the recognition of the state of Palestine by Ireland, Spain and Norway is also expected to be discussed. The EU High Representative has stated that he will work with all member states to promote a common EU position based on a two-state solution.
And Ukraine on the agenda
Regarding Ukraine, the discussion will begin with the usual teleconference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who will update on the latest developments on the ground. “The situation is very tragic, as Russia is escalating the bombing of civilian targets and the number of dead civilians is increasing,” said Z. Borel, while referring to yesterday’s deadly strike on a supermarket in Kharkiv, he said it was “another example of Russia’s war crime and atrocity”.
The Council, according to iefimerida, might also discuss the “Peace Summit”, scheduled to take place in Switzerland in mid-June. More than 70 delegations have already confirmed their participation, according to a senior European official. The official explained that the EU hopes that a framework will emerge for future peace negotiations in Ukraine, respecting international law.
After the Foreign Affairs Council, the eighth conference on supporting Syria will follow. The aim of the ministerial conference is for the international community to express its support for a comprehensive solution to be negotiated through the United Nations and to mobilize donations for Syrians who have been living in a devastating civil war for 13 years. The ministerial meeting will be attended by representatives of EU member states, Syria’s neighbors and third countries, as well as representatives of the United Nations and international organizations.
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