European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated that a new state must be built for the Palestinians and that the exile of the Palestinians and the occupation of Gaza by Israel cannot be allowed.
Borrell gave information to journalists at the end of the EU Foreign Ministers Meeting.
Stating that at today’s meeting, they focused on the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, Borrell also stated that they had discussions about what to do after the conflict ends and possible scenarios.
Borrell continued his words as follows:
“We must find solutions for peace between Palestinians and Israelis and in the region. The dramatic crisis we are experiencing today and the enormous loss of life on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides demonstrates the political and moral failure of the international community. We failed to find a solution. Because of this situation, everyone must now understand that the need for a solution is indispensable. The solution must be a two-state future.”
“We must build a new state for Palestine”
Emphasizing that the reconstruction of Gaza will not be enough, Borrell said:
“We must build a new state for the Palestinians. This means that we need to look at the aftermath of the conflict. Arab countries do not want to talk about this right now, they want to talk about today. We must determine the parameters for the solution. Today, I presented ministers with a framework that includes the conditions for this. Ministers supported this approach. “We must urgently work on this framework together with the United States and Arab countries.”
Borrell stated that, as the EU, they said “no” to 3 issues and listed them as follows:
“First, forced migration out of Gaza cannot be allowed. We cannot allow Palestinians to be deported. Secondly, Gaza’s territory cannot be reduced. Gaza territory cannot be occupied by Israel. Thirdly, the situation in Gaza has to be a part of the solution to the Palestinian issue.”
“Government with legitimacy is necessary”
Borrell said that in order to solve the Palestinian issue, there must be a “single legitimate Palestinian administration” and this must be accepted by the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
“There is a Palestinian administration right now. “We will not invent a new Palestinian administration.” Borrell stated that the current Palestinian administration should be strengthened.
Borrell noted that they do not want Gaza to be in the hands of Hamas, and that “some kind of” Palestinian administration will have to intervene in Gaza, adding: “No one knows how we will do this, because no one knows when this conflict will end.” said.
Underlining that Arab countries must provide strong support to this Palestinian administration, Borrell stated that a solution would not be possible without Arab countries getting involved, helping with reconstruction, and making political contributions to the formation of the Palestinian state.
Borrell also stated that the EU is not present enough in the region and that it should definitely intervene in the solution.
EU will evaluate visa liberalization for Armenia
Stating that they also discussed the Azerbaijan-Armenia issue at today’s meeting, Borrell informed that they decided to increase the EU mission in Armenia with more personnel and more patrols in sensitive areas on the border.
Borrell noted that they will evaluate the options of providing financial support and visa liberalization to Armenia, called for the continuation of peace negotiations between the two countries, and decided to invite the Armenian Foreign Minister to the next EU Foreign Ministers Meeting.