The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has defended before his European counterparts the need to remain united and keep up pressure on Russia to begin credible negotiations that lead to a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine's territorial integrity. At the Extraordinary Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs held on Monday via videoconference, ministers also discussed the serious situation in Gaza and Israel's threat to occupy the entire territory.
The Council meeting was attended by the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, during the part devoted to Ukraine. The minister reminded him of Spain's full support, as recently expressed by the President of the Government himself, because, together with the fate of his country, "international law is at stake, as are the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and respect for borders enshrined in the United Nations Charter".
Europe and Ukraine must be involved in the negotiations
Albares also insisted that whatever is decided about Ukraine affects Europe and, therefore, Europeans must also participate in the negotiations, which must be preceded by "an unconditional and verifiable ceasefire as a first step towards a just and lasting peace."
"Europe and Ukraine want peace," the minister affirms, "but there must be no reward for aggression; there can be no decision on Ukraine without Ukraine; and there can be no debate on European security without Europeans," he concludes.
Israel's unacceptable decision
The situation in Gaza and the total occupation announced by the Israeli government was the other highlight of the meeting. For Spain, this is an unacceptable decision that could further endanger the lives of the hostages held by Hamas and exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
In this regard, the minister urged the EU to "take action now to prevent a new wave of violence by Israel in Gaza," as "we cannot remain passive in the face of the escalation of the Israeli military occupation and the induced famine." "It is time to follow Spain's example and recognise the State of Palestine," he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also drew attention to the rapid deterioration of the situation in the West Bank and called on the EU to continue moving forward with sanctions against Hamas, violent settlers and those who sabotage the two-state solution.
Along these lines, the minister has asked member countries to adopt, as Spain has done, an embargo on weapons sales to Israel, based on Common Position 2008/944, which explicitly obliges Member States to halt exports to war zones such as Gaza.
Finally, Albares has once again called for the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel, in accordance with Article 2, which links its maintenance to respect for human rights by both parties, recalling that the Commission's report clearly states that there is systematic violation of human rights by Israel in Gaza.
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