(L-R) Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation & Humanitarian Affairs; Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of Cyprus; Credit: MAE Luxembourg

On Tuesday 25 February 2025, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, participated in the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) in Brussels, Belgium.

As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, during the discussion on the preparation of the European Council planned for 20 and 21 March 2025, Minister Bettel highlighted current issues, namely Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also discussed the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) and migration.

Concerning Russian aggression against Ukraine, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister recalled the vote that took place the day before in the United Nations General Assembly. On the one hand, he expressed his indignation at attempts to rewrite the history of the conflict. On the other hand, he welcomed the fact that Ukraine and Europeans had succeeded in amending the resolution proposed by the United States and that the resolution co-facilitated by Ukraine and the 26 EU Member States had been adopted.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Minister Bettel called for unity in the messages addressed to the Israeli government and encouraged the Member States to support the approach of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, to increase pressure on Hamas and the Israeli government to work towards a lasting peace in the Middle East.

On the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Minister Bettel stressed that Luxembourg is in favour of a ceasefire, as soon as possible. He also specified that Luxembourg supports the sanctions against the M23. However, he once again suggested waiting for the results of the African mediation efforts planned for this week before adopting new sanctions against Rwanda. He stressed that Luxembourg wants to wait for these results and not start implementing sanctions before the peace talks have taken place.

Minister Bettel also participated in a working lunch on the future of Europe.