“Good morning, it’s a very important foreign affairs council today, with hotspots from around the globe on the agenda, primarily Ukraine and the Middle East.

We’ll start with Ukraine, with the Defence Ministers and Foreign Ministers. As you know, Russia’s attacks are becoming increasingly violent. Just last week, civilian infrastructures in Chernihiv, a region where Belgium will be engaging in development cooperation, were targeted. There were several casualties, so we absolutely need to expedite the delivery of arms.

Belgium is already participating in the Czech initiative. We’ve allocated €200 million. We also have a fund of €1.7 billion from frozen Russian assets, taxes we’ve levied on profits. I will advocate for us to allocate several more million euros because even though it’s important to contribute to reconstruction, to development cooperation, the urgency lies in enabling Ukraine to strengthen its defence system and to halt Putin’s Russia from advancing and approaching EU countries. It’s about our values. It’s our moral duty, but it’s also a duty we owe to ourselves, and to the Ukrainian people.

The afternoon will be dedicated to the Middle East, with a very important meeting with Gulf Arab countries. It’s time for the European Union to clearly position itself in a peace process. We anticipate a preparatory peace conference. It’s time for the European Union to make its voice heard in this conflict. We can no longer confine ourselves to calling for a ceasefire, demanding the release of hostages, humanitarian access, while deaths continue to occur every day. There are increasing incursions also at the Rafah level. Belgium advocates for a process that can help in the recognition of the Palestinian state, which is a crucial step towards a two-state solution. We will support any process. We have reiterated that we are ready to welcome any initiative. And I will say this again this afternoon, I will consult with Arab countries to see what plans are currently on the table and try to advance this process. Because we must not forget, what is happening in Gaza right now is a human tragedy that we absolutely must stop.”

Mario Parrot