Brussels, 13 November 2023
Situation in Israel, the Gaza strip and the region
The Foreign Affairs Council held a discussion on the situation in Israel, the Gaza strip and the region, building on the statement unanimously agreed on by the Council the day before, calling – among other things – for immediate humanitarian pauses in hostilities in Gaza and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.
Ministers focused in particular on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and were briefed by Commissioner Lenarčič on the matter. The Council stressed that the opening of the Rafah crossing was a positive development but insufficient to relieve the humanitarian situation.
Ministers stressed the need for increased transit capacity either through the opening of more land crossings, or through the creation a dedicated maritime route, and once more asked for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and access to them for the Red Cross.
The Council then discussed the need to avoid escalation and spill over onto the region. To this end, the EU is reaching out to all relevant regional actors, paying particular attention to the situation with Hezbollah on the northern Israeli border with Lebanon.
Finally, the Council focussed on the need to working on a longer-term solution, a post-conflict scenario that can guarantee stability and a sustainable peace for Palestine, Israel, and the wider region.
“This dramatic crisis we are living through has incredibly high cost in terms of lives – Israeli and Palestinian lives – and shows that there is a failure politically and morally of the international community. We have failed to find a solution to this situation. And this has now to be an occasion that makes people realise that a solution is absolutely indispensable and there has to be a two state future. It’s not just about reconstructing Gaza. We’ve done that several times before. We have to construct a state for the Palestinians.”
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The High Representative proposed to ministers a set of conditions to work towards a solution, in close cooperation with the United States and the Arab states.
“We cannot have forced displacement of the Palestinian people outside Gaza. We can’t have an expulsion of Palestinians hoping they will be hosted somewhere else. […] No territorial change or reduction of Gazan territory. No to the reoccupation by the Israeli Defence Forces in a permanent situation. No to the return of Hamas to Gaza either.”
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Looking ahead, the High Representative underlined that the situation in Gaza cannot be dissociated from the overall Palestinian issue, but has to be part of the comprehensive and sustainable solution. The various players have to commit themselves to finding solutions around a Palestinian Authority in Gaza, whose terms of reference and legitimacy have to be carefully designed and decided on by the UN Security Council.
The High Representative also stressed the importance of a stronger involvement of the Arab countries as well as a greater involvement of the European Union in the region.
Russian war of aggression against Ukraine
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, addressed EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine’s military priorities and needs.
The Council restated its unwavering commitment to support Ukraine and help it defend itself against Putin’s war. Ministers further discussed the EU’s military support and future security commitments, following the tasking by the European leaders in October 2023.
The High Representative confirmed the first priority is to secure additional military support through the proposed EPF dedicated envelope – the Ukraine Assistance Fund as of 2024.
Furthermore, the EU will continue training Ukrainian soldiers through the EU Advisory Mission Ukraine, which has already trained more than 30 000 soldiers in less than one year, and will train 10 000 more in the upcoming period.
Lastly, the EU will insist on another key priority, the Ukraine Peace Formula, which is considered by the Council as the only proposal for a just and sustainable peace to be discussed at the international level.
Armenia and Azerbaijan
The Foreign Affairs Council held a discussion on Armenia/Azerbaijan, in light of Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh on 19-20 September 2023, the subsequent mass displacement of over 100 000 Karabakh Armenians and ongoing efforts to normalise relations.
The October 2023 European Council discussed how to further strengthen the EU cooperation with Armenia and support its democratically elected authorities, its resilience, its security and the continuation of reforms in the country.
Building on that, the Council agreed to explore the possibility to provide non-lethal support to Armenia under the European Peace Facility and strengthen the EU Mission in Armenia, to allow for more observers and more patrols, including into sensitive areas. Ministers also touched on the option to allow for visa-liberalisation for Armenia.
We have to be very much vigilant for any attempts of destabilisation of Armenia, internally and externally. Our message to Azerbaijan is clear: any violation of Armenia’s territorial integrity is unacceptable and will have severe consequences for the quality of our relations. We call for the resumption of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the work done by the President of the Council. We need the peace treaty to be concluded, and we are committed to continue our mediation role. We decided to invite the Armenian Foreign Minister to join us in the margins of one of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Climate diplomacy
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers were joined by COP28 President-designate Sultan Al Jaber for an exchange on climate diplomacy. The discussion confirmed the EU determination to ensure that despite the current geopolitical turmoil, the UN Climate Conference stays focused on the existential fight against global warming and climate change with ambitious decisions and commitments.
EU-Western Balkans ministerial meeting
After the end of the formal Foreign Affairs Council, EU Ministers participated in the EU-Western Balkans ministerial meeting together with the six Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans partners: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
The aim of the ministerial meeting was to further intensify EU’s engagement with the Western Balkans, with an emphasis on common security challenges, such as foreign interference and information manipulation, cyber threats and the repercussions of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,) as well cooperation in international fora.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting (press release, 13 November 2023)
Other decisions
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Meeting information
- Meeting n°3982
- Brussels
- 13 November 2023
Preparatory documents
- List of A items, legislative deliberations
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- Provisional agenda
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Press releases
- EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting – 13 November 2023, 21:30
- Council adopts decision on funding for firefighting planes and helicopters – 13 November 2023, 12:40
- Council gives green light to the digitalisation of the visa procedure – 13 November 2023, 12:35
- Council adopts Farm Sustainability Data Network regulation – 13 November 2023, 09:45
- Combating overfishing: Council adopts revised rules for the EU’s fisheries control system – 13 November 2023, 09:40
Source – EU Council