The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Friday 15 May that Europeans must work to prevent Israel from annexing part of the West Bank, as envisaged in the programme set out by the new Israeli government.
“We must work to discourage any possible initiative towards annexation”, he explained at the end of the meeting of European foreign ministers. According to Mr Borrell, the EU and Member States must use all channels at their disposal to reach out, among others, to Israelis, Americans and Palestinians. He also wished to work “intensively and constructively” with the new Israeli government.
The High Representative said that Member States agreed to increase their efforts and contacts with all partners in the Middle East "to prevent something that we do not want to see happening from happening". "We are ready, and in the coming days we will use all diplomatic capabilities avoid any unilateral action, to support the two-state solution and uphold international law”, he said. Mr Borrell noted that “international law should be upheld everywhere”. And he warned that “it cannot have selective backing of international law”.
The head of European diplomacy, however, made it clear that he was not going to anticipate events.
Reflecting on relations with MENA
Ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are very concerned about the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, which adds to already existing challenges “ in the region, such as conflicts or the migration crisis, Mr Borrell said.
He recognised that the pandemic could act as an accelerator for the destabilisation of the region, as the socio-economic consequences of the crisis might have political repercussions (see EUROPE 12486/13). “The risk is greater than before the crisis”, he explained, adding that the EU was trying to help these countries avoid destabilisation such as this, even though the financial means were limited. The EU has pledged more than EUR 2 billion to its southern neighbours to help it cope with the pandemic and ensuing consequences (see EUROPE 12464/14).
Mr Borrell also saw the crisis as an opportunity to reflect on relations between Europeans and these countries in the medium- and long-term. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)