European foreign ministers met today to discuss support on a range of issues. There is a lot happening in the world right now. 

So let me first start with the situation in Iran. The new war is a dangerous development, and recent military actions heightened tensions. Iran has been a threat for decades, and the EU has always said that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as it would be a threat to international security.  

But military actions are always fraught with risks and uncertainties. What matters now is minimizing the risk of further escalation. Today, Ministers urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiation table, and prevent further escalations. An extended war benefits no one.

The situation in Ukraine also remains the top priority, and we were joined by Minister Sybiha today. We all support the efforts to achieve a ceasefire, but Russia is escalating the frequency and intensity of its attacks. Just last night, we had again five casualties in Kyiv.  

To these demands we respond with strength. By the end of this week, we aim to approve the 18th package of sanctions on Russia. Every sanction weakens Russia's ability to wage this war. A tough new oil price cap on Russian oil remains on the table. 

I am also pleased to announce we discussed the military support to Ukraine, and I am pleased to announce that 80% of the pledges needed for these 2 million round initiatives have already been done for this year. But of course, it is 80% and we still need to do 20 more. 

We also discussed Russia's hybrid warfare against European countries. Russia's sabotage and cyber-attacks are a direct threat to Europe. The EU's new counter-hybrid strategy is a clear blueprint for how to respond.  

Around the world, when we talk about [the Russian] shadow fleet for example, then EU delegations are helping countries to deflect shadow fleet ships. So, we have Tanzania [which] has already deregistered seven ships, and I welcome that Panama, Honduras and Barbados will not register any of the listed vessels. This also helps to prevent sanctions’ circumvention. 

Then we had lunch, the ministers-only discussion on China. It is clear that China is one of the largest trading partners, and we have a few issues like climate change where we cooperate, but every relationship requires a dose of realism. China enables Russia's war. We have the wording from NATO that China is the key enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine. It carries out cyber-attacks. It interferes with our democracies and uses coercive trade practices. These aspects strain our relationship and make it increasingly hard to continue as before. 

So, it was important to hear the thoughts of Member States and EU Foreign Ministers before we have the European Union - China summit next month. 

On Gaza, the European Union’s priorities are clear: a return to a full ceasefire, full humanitarian access and the release of all hostages. I stay in regular contact with Minister Saar from Israel, and in our talks, I make it clear that the blockade on food and medicine does not protect Israel. Instead, it causes more suffering. 

Today, Ministers discussed the review of Israel's compliance with the Article Two of our Association Agreement, that has been put together by legal experts. You have all seen the review as well. I will now address the results of the review with Israel. Our first goal is to change the situation on the ground and help the humanitarian aid get in and help the people. So today was the beginning of the debate and not the end. 

Ministers also discussed the growing repression in Georgia, including attacks on opposition leaders and media. We stand ready to consider further restrictive measures on those who are responsible. 

And lastly, the European Union will take a major step forward in our relations with Canada later today, including with the new security and defence partnership. This agreement deepens our defence ties and unlocks new cooperation venues, including on Ukraine, cyber defence, emerging technologies, and it can also open the door for Canadian companies to access EU defence’s industrial loans.  

Europe and Canada grow stronger together. We are sharing the same values, and at the time of rising tensions, this partnership is a vital step forward facing today's security challenges and [we are] doing that together with our friends from Canada.  

Thank you. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-273954 

 

Thank you. Hungary blocking a package is nothing new. We already know this, and we have seen this before, so we are working on this to get the package through. We propose quite a strong package, but let's see what kind of compromises we have to do in order to get everybody on board. So, the work is still ongoing.  

When it comes to your other question regarding civilian and military missions. As you remember, a year ago, all European countries signed a security guarantees agreement with Ukraine. Part of those security guarantees agreement is also the missions – for example, what the European Union can do. But it is clear that these security guarantees will only enter into force when there is a ceasefire or full peace, because we are talking about the time. But, as you know how the European Union works, we need time to prepare everything. We are already preparing these discussions. For example, training missions; is it wiser to move the training missions closer to Ukraine so that they can train the soldiers? And the aim is to have a strong Ukrainian army, so our contribution is to that. But the discussions are still ongoing. Thank you.

 

Regarding your question, a lot has changed, which shows how interlinked our security theatres are. The War in the Middle East has an influence also over the oil price, and that has created concerns regarding the threat to the Strait of Hormuz and all these things around. That is why we discussed this also today. As there was no clear mandate from G7 then some Member States also have their doubts about the oil price cap, and everybody is, of course, worried about the situation. But at the same time, as we know that the oil price is raising, then it is also not good if Russia benefits actually from this war going on in the Middle East, and can wage or finance its war in Ukraine. Of course, for every sanctions package there is criticism, and for the 17th package there was also that “you know, it is not much.” But when we did it, we put, for example, the shadow fleet vessels. And I was also surprised to read that that only the 17th package of sanctions reduced the oil price revenues via Baltic Sea and Black Sea in the week 30% - three-zero. So that is quite an impact. That is why I think the sanctions that we put forward definitely have an effect even if they do not seem as bone-crushing like they say in the beginning. 

 

Thank you. So, we had a very extensive and intense discussion. Everybody agreed that we want to achieve a better situation on the ground, so that it is improving on the ground, people will get help, the humanitarian aid will get to people, and the situation is improved on the ground. So, what are the next steps? We will contact Israel to present our findings and look at how we can improve the situation on the ground, because that is the focus of the Member States to be very, very sure about the feelings that we have here. The review is very clear, and we have to improve the situation that Israel has been breaching Article Two. It is not intended to punish Israel, but to trigger concrete improvements for the people and the lives of people in Gaza. So, that is what we are trying to do now. If the situation does not improve, then we can also discuss further measures and come back to this in July. But I will not be the only one who does the outreach. Oher ministers will do [it as well] and express the same things that we have [said] today: that we have a structured dialogue about this, with Israel.

 

No, I did not speak about concessions, but I spoke about the issues that we raised, broader security issues. Of course, the nuclear program - everybody's concerned. But also cyber and hybrid attacks that Iran is conducting against European countries; also, the detention of European citizens; also, their support to Russia and the ballistic missile program. We raised these issues, and Iran was saying that they are willing to talk about these issues. Today, also, there was a broad consensus among the European countries that we need to continue these discussions, because diplomacy is the way to settle these things long term to have an agreement with Iran to not to have a nuclear weapon, and the other concerns that we also have. So yes, we will definitely stay in touch. The communication channels are opened. 

 

Our main concern is the humanitarian aid distribution. We see the humanitarian aid behind the borders, but it does not reach the people. We are supportive of the international humanitarian aid distribution networks because they have all the tools necessary to deliver that. And of course, [our concern is] that the situation is improved for the people on the ground; on the aid being delivered, but also on other aspects of this situation. This is the main thing. When it comes to measures, then, you can also see what are the measures deriving from the Association Agreement. The measures are there. But the concrete question is what then are we able to agree. Right now, the most important thing is to improve the situation on the ground, improve the lives of people in Palestine, and stop the suffering and human toll that we see there every day. 

 

We are, of course, not only talking to the United States, but also to all the regional actors. And everybody is concerned by the same thing, which is the spillover effect that it has – the security situation of the Middle East – in a broader respect. Also, by the question of retaliation and what kind of retaliation there is. We are sending clear messages also to Iran that the escalation of this war is not benefiting anybody, and we are concerned [by] the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, because it has a huge impact also for the broader trade in the world. It is a global issue, and that is why these are global concerns. 

 

Yes. This is one of the measures that could be taken when it comes to the Association Agreement. When it comes to the trade with the regions of violent settlers, then it is very clear also based on the court decision, which I think, said that these regions do not benefit from the beneficial trade relationship that we have between Israel and European Union. Thank you. 

  

Via diplomacy, of course, via different channels. Also talking to all the parties, that this escalation benefits no one. 

Q. You made today morning a statement about Georgia and also mentioned it now. But during these few hours, two opposition leaders from Lelo party were arrested. So totally, we have already five opposition leaders in the prison. How do you estimate this situation, and can we expect some concrete steps as a reaction in the upcoming future? 

Yes, we discussed this today as well – the sanctions against the people who are conducting these things, these acts. Also, because it is clear, if we look at the sentences for the protesters, they are not proportional for these acts, which means that the justice system seems to be part of this repression machine. There was also the discussion of putting sanctions on judges who are conducting these things. We had this discussion today, and we are returning to this also in July. We did not reach an agreement now, so I hope that maybe we can have some movement there. The discussion is whether we are punishing Georgia, but our intention is not punishing Georgian people or Georgia. Our intention is to punish the people who are conducting the human rights violations, concrete people there in Georgia. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-274293