Luxembourg to Allocate €81m for Humanitarian Action in 2024

Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, participated in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the Council of the EU, which was held on Monday 18 March 2024 in Brussels.

Ahead of the FAC meeting, Minister Bettel participated in the European Humanitarian Forum, a high-level event that brings together policymakers, humanitarian actors and other stakeholders to engage in deeper dialogue on policy and strategy humanitarian organisations of Europe.

In his intervention, Minister Bettel reaffirmed Luxembourg's commitment to growing humanitarian needs in a global context characterised by persistent conflicts, forced displacements and natural disasters: "International solidarity and humanitarian principles are at the heart of Luxembourg's humanitarian action and we will remain committed to supporting populations in need of humanitarian aid and protection. In 2024, we plan to allocate nearly €81 million for humanitarian purposes and thus devote, in line with our humanitarian strategy, at least 15% of our public development assistance to our humanitarian action,” highlighted the minister. Minister Bettel also took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law on a global scale, whether in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The FAC meeting then provided an opportunity for Minister Bettel and his European counterparts to have in-depth discussions on the situations in Ukraine, Belarus and the Middle East. The ministers also had exchanges of views, via videoconference, with their American counterparts, Antony Blinken, and Ukrainian counterparts, Dmytro Kuleba.

Minister Bettel expressed his disappointment that, contrary to its international commitments, Russia had decided not to invite the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to observe the presidential election in Russia. Luxembourg condemns Russia's organisation of so-called "elections" in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia, which constitutes a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

On this sad tenth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, Minister Bettel reiterated Luxembourg's strong condemnation of this illegal annexation, as well as the Grand Duchy's support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Considering the situation in Belarus, the minister recalled Luxembourg's support for the democratic opposition forces.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, Minister Bettel lamented that recent talks did not result in the establishment of an immediate ceasefire, which is the absolute priority at the moment. In his exchange with the United States Secretary of State, Xavier Bettel underscored the importance for the members of the United Nations Security Council to resolve the situation by adopting a resolution aimed at an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Finally, on the sidelines of the FAC meeting, the minister had bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Raşit Meredow, and the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, Sven Koopmans.