Press release
Tánaiste reiterates call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire at extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Following the recent visits of a number of EU Foreign Ministers to the region, including the Tánaiste and EU HRVP Josep Borrell, the EU Foreign Affairs Council held an extraordinary videoconference meeting on Monday 20 November.
This meeting provided a timely opportunity for the Tánaiste to brief his EU counterparts on his recent visit to Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
The Tánaiste reiterated the need for the EU’s position to be informed by developments on the ground and to evolve accordingly. In particular, the Tánaiste underlined the urgent need to intensify calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
Speaking after the meeting, the Tánaiste said:
"I welcome that the High Representative convened an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. It is vital that the EU remains seized of this evolving situation and reacts with appropriate urgency to the reality on the ground.
"The EU is clear in its condemnation of Hamas and in its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. At the same time, I have been clear, including during my meeting with Foreign Minister Cohen last week, that there can be no military solution to this crisis.
"I welcome that discussions also focused on how the EU can contribute to building a sustainable peace. Such efforts will require close coordination with partners in the region. Moreover, I have underlined that it requires us to listen to our partners in the region. Their message is clear – we must protect innocent civilians and children. The first priority is an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”