Xavier Bettel Attends Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg

Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation and Foreign Trade has reported that the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, participated in the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), held on Monday 14 April 2025 in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

The topics addressed included Russian aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, EU-Africa relations, the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the situation in Georgia, and also relations with the Western Balkan countries.

Regarding relations with the Western Balkan countries, the BeNeLux foreign ministers expressed their views in a joint statement delivered by Minister Bettel who emphasised the geopolitical importance of the region and the need to resolve various outstanding bilateral issues. He also noted that the future of the Western Balkan countries lies within the EU, and that it is essential to continue supporting candidate countries in implementing the reforms necessary to meet EU membership criteria. Furthermore, Minister Bettel reiterated his call for the signing of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, while deploring the deterioration of relations between Azerbaijan and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which Luxembourg is following closely due to its Presidency of the Council of Europe Council of Ministers. He reiterated his regret that the new Georgian government appears to be turning its back on the European Union, contrary to the aspirations of the Georgian people, who continue to demonstrate their commitment to European values. 

Bilateral Meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Kosovo and North Macedonia

On the sidelines of the FAC, Minister Bettel held a bilateral meeting with Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo. Minister Bettel affirmed that Luxembourg, which currently holds the Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, will maintain dialogue with all stakeholders on the issue of Kosovo's accession to the Council of Europe. He also highlighted the excellent partnership between the two countries in development cooperation, as well as Luxembourg's full support for Kosovo's European perspective.

Furthermore, Minister Bettel held a bilateral meeting with Timčo Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of the Republic of North Macedonia. Minister Bettel expressed his condolences following the tragic fire in a nightclub on 16 March 2025, in North Macedonia, and reiterated Luxembourg's immediate support in the aftermath. The two ministers also discussed current political dynamics in the region and the potential for strengthening economic and trade relations between Luxembourg and North Macedonia.

Bilateral Meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister and First High-Level Dialogue between the EU and the Palestinian Authority

Minister Bettel held a bilateral meeting with Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister of Palestine. Minister Bettel reiterated the need for a lasting political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution. He also deplored the breakdown of the ceasefire and the complete interruption of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Discussions also focused on the high-level international conference on the two-state solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia and scheduled for mid-June in New York, as well as on relations between the European Union and Palestine.

On the sidelines of the FAC, Minister Bettel participated in the first high-level dialogue between the EU and the Palestinian Authority. This meeting was an opportunity for High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, and EU Member States to reaffirm the EU's strong support for the Palestinian Authority, including financial support, to enable the Palestinian Authority to continue its internal reforms and meet the needs of the Palestinian population. 

Minister Bettel welcomed this first high-level dialogue and expressed hope that the EU will be able to strengthen its institutional relations with Palestine, which are currently based on an Interim Association Agreement. He strongly called on the Israeli government to pay the Palestinian Authority the tax revenues it is owed but which are collected by Israel and currently blocked. 

“The Palestinian Authority urgently needs these funds, which are its due, to pay the salaries of Palestinian teachers, health workers and police officers. Stability in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, depends on it. I have visited Palestine four times over the past eighteen months, and I can attest to the significant efforts the Palestinian Authority is making to continue providing services to its population despite its severe financial difficulties”. The minister reiterated his unwavering support for UNRWA.

The June conference on the two-state solution will be an important moment to rally the international community around a strong message for peace, which will only be possible when two states, Israel and Palestine, can live side by side in security.