Brussels 22.01.2024 “Today, we are going to have an exceptional Foreign Affairs Council. I think that never before we have had a Council with so many, and so important guests, in these dramatic circumstances” said the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell upon arrival to the Europa building in Brussels, where the the Ministers of the foreign affaris will discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after an informal exchange of views with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba via VTC at the beginning of the meeting. The ensuing ministerial discussion is expected to focus on longer-term security commitments and military support to Ukraine.

“We managed to invite – and they are coming today – first, the Israeli Foreign Minister [Israel Katz] – the new one. Second, the representatives of the Arab and Muslim countries diplomatic initiatives: the Ministers [for Foreign Affairs] of Saudi Arabia [Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud], Egypt [Sameh Shoukry], Jordan [Ayman Al Safadi] and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States [Ahmed Abou Ghei]. And after, in a separate session, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Palestine [Riyad al-Maliki]” Borrell continued.

“So, we are going to have here today all actors – [of] the countries engaged, the countries who are directly affected by the situation in Gaza. I have been talking with the new United Nations [Senior] Coordinator for the Humanitarian support [and Reconstruction for Gaza], Sigrid [Kaag], who explained to me yesterday on the phone. She will also come to the Council to debrief the ministers.

“The humanitarian situation [in Gaza] could not be worse. It could not be worse. There are no words to explain how the situation is, with hundreds of thousands without anything – without shelter, without food, without medicines, and under the bombs.

“And every day, there is a high toll of civilian people being killed. Many ministers have said that there are “too many”. Well, the question is: how many is “too many”? What does it mean “too many”? [Is] too many 25,000 people? For how long is this going to continue?

“This is the thing that ministers will discuss today, so it is a very important meeting. I am happy to have managed to invite them, and to make them to come.

“And after, we will have a discussion among us, among the ministers, and I will present – I have already presented – a comprehensive approach. A comprehensive approach to what? I think that we have to stop talking about the “peace” process, and start talking more concretely about the “two-state solution” process. Because peace, it could be many different [kinds of] peace. What kind of peace are you talking about?

“So, let’s talk about what we want to do. What we want to do is to build a two-state solution, so let’s talk about it. The way you are naming it is important. So, from now on, I will not talk about the peace process, but about the two-state solution process. If we are serious about that, we have to study the underling causes that prevent this solution from being implemented. Certainly, Hamas is one of them – an important one – but there are others.

“This comprehensive approach has to be studied, and discussed. I know it is difficult. The 27 [Member States] have different approaches, but we have to work together with the Arab world. I know it is difficult, but it is our moral endeavour, our moral obligation to try to do our utmost to try to look for a solution.

“So, from now on, please talk about the “two-state solution” process” the EU diplomat concluded. The press-conference of Josep Borrell is planned by the end of the meeting, and will be available on the EbS channel.