1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, as well as Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

2. The European Union is deeply alarmed by the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and the risk this represents for the entire region. We call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to all hostilities immediately and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law.
3. We are fully committed to working towards de-escalation and support all efforts in this direction as well as to scaling up our significant humanitarian assistance. We urge the international community to increase its humanitarian aid given the massive needs.
4. The EU reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, the urgent improvement of access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza, and an enduring end to hostilities, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735. To this end, it supports the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar and the United States. It also recognises the central role of Jordan in de-escalating the crisis and emphasises the importance of the stability and security of Jordan and Egypt and their borders. The EU deplores the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially women and children, in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza. The EU condemns the further escalation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements and Israel’s military operation. The EU calls on safe access to the holy sites and for Status Quo to be upheld. The EU will work forward on further restrictive measures against extremist settlers and against entities and organisations, which support them. The EU recalls the need to fully implement the International Court of Justice orders. The EU reiterates its strong support for the International Court of Justice as one of the main pillars of the international justice system.
5. The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-state solution and its support to the Palestinian Authority to help address its most pressing needs and support its reform agenda. The EU will actively support and engage with international partners on concrete irreversible steps towards the two-state solution reviving a political process to this end, including through the holding of an international peace conference as soon as possible. The EU reaffirms its commitment to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and stresses that a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood is a crucial component of that political process.
6. In light of the recent Knesset decisions the EU condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise attempt to obstruct its capacity to operate its mandate. The EU stresses the essential role of the UN and its agencies, notably UNRWA which provides crucial support to the civilian population, both in Gaza and the wider region. Continued implementation of the UNRWA Action Plan is key.
7. The EU condemns once again in the strongest possible terms Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and stands with the families of the victims and the hostages taken by Hamas. We condemn in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks on Israel on 1 October 2024 and Iran’s seriously destabilising actions throughout the Middle East through terrorist and armed groups – including the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas –, which constitute a serious threat to regional stability. The EU reiterates Israel’s right to defend itself, in line with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, in all circumstances, and the European Union’s commitment to Israel’s security and to regional stability. We also stress again that international humanitarian law must be respected by all parties and the dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliations must end.
8. We are gravely concerned by the military escalation in Lebanon, and deplore the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, the forced displacement caused by the escalating violence and the persistent use of military force. We recall the need to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, that civilian infrastructure is not targeted and that international law is respected. Rocket attacks by Hezbollah must stop. Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. We reiterate our strong support for the state institutions of Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces. The EU calls on all partners of Lebanon to contribute to strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces and reaffirms the Union’s readiness to facilitate international coordination of such efforts as appropriate.
9. The EU calls for an immediate ceasefire across the Blue Line and for full and symmetrical implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We call on all partners to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and continue to provide support to the people affected, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities. The EU welcomes the mobilisation of the international community at the International conference in support to the people and sovereignty of Lebanon held in Paris on 24th October 2024.
10. The EU condemns the attacks against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which left several peacekeepers wounded. Such attacks constitute a grave violation of international law, are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately. The EU recalls that all actors have an obligation to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. The EU supports the fundamental stabilisation role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, and calls on all parties to protect and support UNIFIL’s important mission. The EU urges all parties to fully uphold their obligations to guarantee the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel at all times, and to allow UNIFIL to continue to implement its mandate.
11. Let me reiterate EU’s full support to the UN Secretary General, stressing that nowhere should the UN Secretary-General be declared ‘persona non grata’. The EU reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order with the United Nations and the Charter at its core.

Allow me now to turn to the situation in Syria.

12. The fundamental and political rationale of our position on Syria has not changed. We strongly call on the regime to engage in the implementation of UNSCR 2254 and under the auspices of UN Special Envoy Pedersen. In this regard, we deplore the obstruction to the political process by the regime, together with its allies Russia and Iran, and the regime’s continued attacks, including in densely populated areas, in several parts of Syria.
13. The EU stands firmly as the main humanitarian donor, and reiterates its continued support to the Syrian people, as we have so far done, including through the organisation of the annual Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region.

The full EU statement is available on line. Thank you, Ms. President.

14. Syrian refugees continue to face significant risks upon their return, as outlined in reports by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN High Commissioner for Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria. There must be an end to these human rights abuses and violations, largely committed by the Assad regime, and there must be accountability for those who have suffered.
15. The military escalation in Lebanon is putting additional strain on this situation as it has forced hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese to flee into Syrian territory. Those crossing into Syria are desperate people running from bombs and violence. 30% are Lebanese, and 60% are children under 18. These crossings should not be seen as an indication that Syria is now safe for return of refugees. The EU reiterates that the safety and security of all those arriving from Lebanon must be ensured.
16. The European Union reaffirms the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified returns of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR. We call on the regime in Damascus to prioritize the welfare of all people on its territory, with no distinction between them on religious, sectarian, ethnic or political grounds, and to enhance its cooperation with UNHCR in light of the dramatic situation unfolding, in order to ensure the full humanitarian and protection needs of all. We also call on the regime to engage in a political process towards a sustainable and comprehensive political solution, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.