(L-R) Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade;
Credit: Alexandros Michailidis
Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, participated in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the Council of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium on Monday 22 July 2024.
As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, the agenda included in-depth discussions on Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as the situation in the Middle East.
Regarding Russian aggression, Minister Bettel recalled the importance of continuing to support Ukraine in its self-defence, emphasising the need to release aid under the European Peace Facility (EPF). He also stressed that the recent trips ("peace missions") of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, were not made on behalf of the EU, but only on behalf of his own country, Hungary. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister indicated that he supports any effort for peace which is based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and which is carried out in close coordination with Ukraine. He added that any other efforts were counterproductive and would not lead to a just and lasting peace.
EU Foreign Ministers then discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly with regard to the EU's action in favour of peace. Concerning the situation in Gaza, Minister Bettel expressed his deep frustration at the fact that the war has still not ended, despite the adoption by the UN of several resolutions to this effect, the order of provisional measures by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as numerous diplomatic efforts, including the ceasefire plan proposed by US President Joe Biden.
Minister Bettel urged the international community to continue discussions with the aim of ending the war in Gaza, freeing the hostages held by Hamas and finding a lasting political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution. He noted that Luxembourg would continue to play a constructive and active role in this regard. The Grand Duchy has called on Israel to urgently release all tax revenues accruing to the Palestinian Authority. In parallel, Minister Bettel welcomed the efforts underway for a new support package from the EU to the Palestinian Authority.
EU Foreign Ministers later had an exchange of views with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño.
