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UPDATE: EU FMs discuss Ukraine, Israel in Luxembourg

24.10.2023 00:30
European Union foreign ministers discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict when they met in Luxembourg on Monday, the Polish foreign ministry has said.
Audio
Zbigniew Rau
Zbigniew RauPAP/Radek Pietruszka

The meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) focused on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and "the situation in Israel and the region," according to the Polish foreign ministry.

EU foreign ministers also discussed relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the foreign ministry in Warsaw said.

'Appeal for enhanced military support for Ukraine'

During the gathering, Poland’s top diplomat Zbigniew Rau "reiterated an appeal for an enhanced military support for Ukraine, including in particular the launch of the eighth tranche of support from the European Peace Facility and the fastest possible agreement on the shape of the Ukraine Assistance Fund," according to a statement from the Polish foreign ministry.

Speaking about Russia’s war in Ukraine, Rau "also opted for setting new training goals for the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM)," the statement said.

It added that Rau "expressed support for closer cooperation between the European and the Ukrainian defence industries" and "emphasized the need to continue with the policy of sanctions against Russia."

Addressing the meeting, the Polish foreign minister voiced hope that the European Council would in December decide to "launch accession negotiations with Ukraine," according to the Polish foreign ministry.

Polish FM condemns 'all acts of terrorism,' backs 'Israel’s right to defend' itself

"When discussing the situation and Israel and the region, Minister Rau condemned all acts of terrorism and pointed to Israel’s right to defend the state and its citizens," the statement also said.

Rau "highlighted that civilian lives must be protected in line with international law and international humanitarian law," it added.

The Polish foreign minister "called for international coordination and cooperation in order to provide humanitarian aid" and "reaffirmed Poland’s commitment to support a two-state solution based on the principles of international law."

Poland urges peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia

Referring to "a growing number of Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh," Rau noted that Poland was "among the earliest providers of material humanitarian aid and had undertaken to provide financial aid to refugees," according to the statement.

During the meeting, Rau "spoke in favour of the EU’s comprehensive support for Armenia," and "stressed that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia must be achieved by way of negotiations rather than by military means," the Polish foreign ministry also said in its statement.

Poland last week condemned civilian deaths in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and called on all sides to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

The Israel-Hamas war began when the Palestinian organisation Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, according to media reports.

EU leaders on October 15 condemned Hamas attacks on Israel and backed Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.

Monday was day 607 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl

Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.