Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), In a recent session, the Foreign Affairs Council convened to deliberate on the escalating humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip. On March 18 in Brussels the Ministers engaged in intensive discussions, highlighting the urgency of addressing the dire conditions faced by the population.
The Council shed light on the alarming findings of a recent report by the World Food Programme, which underscored the severity of the situation, with the vast majority of Gaza’s residents at risk of starvation. Concerns were raised regarding the urgent need for immediate action to alleviate suffering and prevent further deterioration of conditions.
Furthermore, attention was drawn to the Cyprus initiative proposing a humanitarian sea route as a potential lifeline for delivering essential aid to Gaza. The High Representative emphasized the importance of developing this maritime route while also urging Israel to facilitate the establishment of additional land routes and crossings to ensure unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance.
Discussions also delved into the issue of sanctions, with a focus on measures targeting Hamas and extremist settlers. Notably, a significant breakthrough was achieved as the Council reached a consensus on implementing sanctions, marking a departure from previous unsuccessful attempts. A solid compromise was forged at a working level, raising hopes for swift adoption and implementation.
Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, expressed optimism regarding the progress made, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to address the crisis effectively.
In addition to addressing immediate humanitarian concerns, the Council also turned its attention to broader diplomatic engagements, including the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Ministers reaffirmed the shared values of respect for human rights, the rule of law, and democracy underpinning the agreement. There were discussions on the prospect of further engagement with Israel to address the situation in Gaza, with some members suggesting inviting key stakeholders, such as the Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel and the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, to participate in future Council meetings.
The deliberations underscored the pressing need for concerted international action to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza and advance diplomatic efforts toward lasting peace and stability in the region.
Transatlantic Unity and Current Challenges
Ministers engaged in an informal exchange of views with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken via videoconference, emphasizing the importance of transatlantic unity in addressing pressing global issues. Discussions focused on Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and strategies regarding China and the Indo-Pacific region. Participants stressed the urgency of coordinated action, especially concerning Ukraine and the Middle East peace process, advocating for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
Russian Aggression Against Ukraine
The Foreign Affairs Council delved into the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine following a virtual intervention by Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba. Updates on ground developments and Ukraine’s priorities were shared. The Council took decisive action, approving a €5 billion allocation under the European Peace Facility for military support to Ukraine. Additionally, the swift finalization of sanctions against those accountable for the murder of Alexei Navalny was agreed upon under the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The discussion also revolved around utilizing revenues from Russian assets immobilized in the EU due to sanctions to bolster military support for Ukraine and enhance its defense industry.
The Council approved conclusions on green diplomacy yesterday 18 March 2024. The conclusions on green diplomacy were approved by the Council, clearly stating that the EU will support the implementation of global commitments in this regard and work closely with partner nations around the world to promote a fair and inclusive green transition through increased multilateralism and global action.
Russian Presidential Elections and EU Condemnation
The Council expressed concern over the recent Russian presidential elections, held amidst a highly restricted environment and lacking genuine voter choice, with systematic internal repression. The EU, through a statement issued before the Council, condemned the illegitimate holding of these elections in territories temporarily occupied by Russia in Ukraine.
Belarus: Human Rights and Complicity
In discussions concerning Belarus, the Council focused on reacting to the deteriorating human rights situation and supporting Belarusian civil society and democratic opposition. Attention was drawn to Belarus’ complicity in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, with the regime urged to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally. The EU stands prepared to take further restrictive measures in line with its gradual approach.
Middle East Humanitarian Crisis
Turning to the Middle East, particularly the dire situation in the Gaza Strip, ministers addressed the worsening humanitarian conditions, emphasizing the risk of starvation faced by the majority of the population, as highlighted in a recent World Food Programme report. The Council discussed the Cyprus initiative for a humanitarian sea route, stressing the need for its development alongside the increased availability of land routes by Israel. The agreement was reached on imposing sanctions on Hamas and extremist settlers, reflecting a solid compromise achieved at the working level.
EU-Israel Association Agreement and Future Engagement
Ministers discussed the EU-Israel Association Agreement, grounded in shared values of human rights, rule of law, and democracy. Plans for further engagement with Israel to address the Gaza situation were proposed, including the potential invitation of the Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister and the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority to a future Council meeting.
Current Affairs: Haiti and Multinational Support Mission
Under the umbrella of current affairs, the Council exchanged views on Armenia/Azerbaijan, Niger, and Haiti. Strong support was expressed for the ongoing efforts in Haiti to facilitate a viable, inclusive, and sustainable political transition, with an emphasis on translating political efforts into tangible improvements on the ground. The importance of swiftly deploying the Multinational Security Support Mission authorized by the UN Security Council was highlighted, with the EU exploring avenues to support its broader objectives through cooperation instruments.
This report encapsulates the discussions and outcomes of the recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting concerning the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the Gaza Strip. As of my last update in January 2022, Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Israel, and the European Union.
