"The utmost priority must be an immediate ceasefire" - Xavier Bettel at the Foreign Affairs Council of the Council of the EU

The ministers held an informal exchange of views via videoconference with their Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, before discussing the EU's continued support for Ukraine. Minister Bettel reiterated the importance of the EU continuing to support Ukraine in exercising its right to self-defence against the Russian war of aggression. In this context, he highlighted the need to agree on new assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF), as well as to adopt the Ukraine Facility for long-term macroeconomic support.

The ACE also provided an opportunity for an in-depth discussion on the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza. Minister Bettel and his European counterparts held separate meetings with the foreign ministers of Israel and Palestine, as well as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Minister Bettel also had a bilateral meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, to discuss the important role played by Egypt in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, as well as in the search for a political solution to the current conflict.

Minister Bettel welcomed the opportunity for EU Member States to exchange views with the countries of the region, stressing the importance of frank and direct dialogue with all stakeholders, including Israel.

"I am convinced that the so-called two-state solution is the only way to guarantee a genuine, lasting and just peace. Peace for the Palestinians will also mean peace for Israel, and vice versa. It is therefore in the interest of the State of Israel to achieve peace", Xavier Bettel stressed.

In view of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Luxembourg's head of diplomacy insisted that "the utmost priority must be to achieve an immediate ceasefire". This cessation of hostilities must then be followed by a genuine peace process. In this context, Luxembourg welcomes the preparation by High Representative Josep Borrell of a roadmap for the "creation of a comprehensive peace plan".

Finally, Minister Bettel recalled: "We were deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks of 7 October, which nothing can justify. However, after three months of fighting and thousands of deaths among the civilian population of Gaza, 70% of them women and children, it is becoming difficult to argue in favour of a defence that would be legitimate and proportional". In this respect, Minister Bettel reaffirmed the absolute necessity for Israel to protect the civilian population in Gaza and to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade