The EU’s high representative responsible for foreign policy, Josep Borrelland its representatives Gulf Cooperation CouncilGrouping six countries in the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Qatar) priority in the face of the war unleashed by Hamas attacks this Tuesday” release of hostages and protection of civilians“just like him “Stopping the violence“ “Preventing regional tension.” This was announced by the head of European diplomacy at a press conference in Oman ahead of an “urgent and urgent” meeting of EU foreign ministers this afternoon.
Borrell invited him to the meeting, which will be held via video conference. EU foreign ministers To Israeli foreign ministers in Oman, Eli Cohenand the Palestinian National Authority, Riad MalkiHowever, it has not yet been announced whether they will finally attend the meeting, which will start at four o’clock in the afternoon. Leading up to the results of the informal meeting, the European representative condemned the “violence and terror” of the terrorist attacks.
“I met with many countries in the Gulf and the region and we agreed that the priority is: Stop the Violence And Preventing a new escalation in the region. Provision is extremely important. hostage release Article 21 of the joint declaration agreed with the Gulf countries condemned attacks against civilians, demanded the release of hostages and guaranteed access to food, water and food, and warned that “all civilians should be protected by all parties.” medicines in accordance with the regulations international human rights.
Division over European aid
The meeting of the 27 took place 24 hours after the political turmoil created by the Hungarian commissioner for neighborhood and enlargement policy, Oliver Varhelyi, who “immediately” suspended all payments to Palestine in response to the Hamas attack. An announcement that sparked fierce protests in some Member States, particularly Spain. This Tuesday, the European Commission announced that the Hungarian acted at his own riskWithout consulting or coordinating with other commissioners, including the head of European diplomacy.
“Members of the college were not aware of Commissioner Varhelyi’s announcement. This was not made in coordination with other members of the college,” said Eric Mamer, the president’s spokesman. Ursula von der Leyenabout the announcement of the suspension of aid published on the social network One sided This was the case. Still, no disciplinary action will be taken against Varhelyi.
urgent review
The European Commission spent more than five hours on Monday trying to sort out the political chaos caused by the Hungarians, culminating in an official statement confirming it would “urgently” review aid allocated by the EU to Palestine. The aim of this review is to “ensure that no EU funding indirectly enables any terrorist organization to launch an attack on Israel.” The decision responds to the changing situation and the need to act “common sense”. As long as the exam is not completed, the aid will not be stopped.
humanitarian aid and assistance provided within the framework of European civil protection operations humane aid (ECHO) According to the figures provided by the Commission, the amount corresponding to this year 2023 is, 27.5 million euros. Although Brussels did not give a figure for the money they will put under the microscope, Varhelyi mentioned a figure of 691 million on Monday. development aid Appointed between 2021 and this year. According to Brussels, while European financial aid in 2021 was 316 million, this amount increased to 283 million in 2022, and so far this year, 82 million has been allocated to the UN Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) and an additional aid of 10 million has been provided. It’s not official yet.