EU Statement – UN Security Council: Situation in the Middle East

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

2. The Candidate Countries Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina* align themselves with this statement.

3. The European Union expresses its grave concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza which remains catastrophic and stresses the urgent need for a sustained increase in humanitarian access. It calls on Israel to allow full, immediate, safe and unhindered access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza, including via the Cyprus Maritime Corridor to supplement land routes and to enable the UN and its agencies, including UNRWA, and humanitarian organisations, to work independently and impartially to save lives and reduce suffering. It also calls on Israel to reopen Gaza border crossings, as well as the medical corridor between Gaza and the West Bank, allow access for international media, and reverse its decision regarding the NGO registration law. The European Union recalls the need to always ensure the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, as well as civilian infrastructure. 

4. The European Union expresses its concern about the lack of progress in the implementation of the ceasefire and all other provisions of UNSCR 2803 and reiterates its call to all actors to fully implement them. 

5. We call for the permanent disarmament of Hamas and other non-state armed groups, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the deployment of the temporary International Stabilisation Force, as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.

6. We will continue contributing to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict in accordance with UNSCR 2803, including through the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) and the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS). 

7. The European Union will also continue to support the Palestinian Authority and its reform agenda, including the holding of elections, so that it can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. The European Union calls again on Israel to urgently release all withheld clearance revenues and extend the correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks.

8. We will continue engaging with international and regional stakeholders to contribute to the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, in line with international law. 

9. We thank all the partners who joined us at the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels and look forward to build on its successful meeting.

10. The European Union expresses grave concern about the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, reiterating its condemnation of the expansion of illegal settlements and settler violence. It urges the Government of Israel to reverse the expansion of settlements, including in the E1 area, which are illegal under international law, to abide by its obligations under international law and to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied territories, including Christian communities and other minorities, as well as to ensure the preservation of and respect for the Status Quo of Jerusalem’s holy sites. The European Union condemns Israel’s unilateral actions aiming to expand its presence in the West Bank and reiterates its call on Israel to refrain from further settlement expansion, the legalization of outposts, land appropriation, demolitions, evictions and other unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-state solution. The European Union is looking into possible further measures against actions undermining the two-state solution. 

11. The EU is fully committed to international law and a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. The New York Declaration provides a political framework to guide these efforts.  The Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution meetings, co-hosted by the EU, Norway and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, demonstrate the commitment to and underline the necessary link between the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan and the two-state solution agenda.

12. The EU deplores the resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran and the ensuing loss of life, and condemns Iran’s actions disrupting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as its indiscriminate strikes on neighbouring countries and express its solidarity with countries affected. 

13. Recent threats by Houthis to impose a maritime blockade on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pose a direct threat to regional stability and constitute a dangerous escalation. The attack on an oil tankers in the Red Sea are unacceptable, illegal, and further inflames an already volatile situation in the region.

14. It is crucial that all actors across the region implement UNSC Resolution 2817, and refrain from actions that endanger the prospect of a negotiated solution. We commend Pakistan, Qatar and other regional partners for their mediation efforts. Only diplomacy can bring about a sustainable solution to all outstanding issues. 

15. We stand ready to support future negotiations, through its economic leverage, sanctions framework, nuclear expertise, maritime security engagement, direct channels with Iran and deep partnerships in the Gulf and other regional countries.

16. The Strait of Hormuz is not only as a regional waterway, but a global lifeline. Its closure has far-reaching global implications. Preserving the security of the Strait requires restraint by all parties. 

17. Freedom of navigation and safe transit passage through the Strait must remain unconditional, unrestricted and fully consistent with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS. Any arrangement related to the Strait of Hormuz must not limit freedom of navigation or alter its governance in any way.

18. That is not just a matter of possible costs for maritime shipping: we should challenge the notion that any state can impose discretionary limits to transit passage between international waters – as this can be used again anytime there will be tensions. 

19. We are engaging with Gulf and other regional partners on the day after. Critical to shape new security arrangements that can mitigate the risks of new military aggressions. We welcome regional initiatives and stand ready to support with our historic experience in Europe in establishing cooperation mechanisms and institutional frameworks, to contribute to a comprehensive, long-term regional solution.

20. The EU welcomes the framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in Washington on 26 June. The agreement offers a much-needed perspective in the efforts towards de-escalation and peace, and towards restoring the Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity. We urge all actors to fully abide by the terms of the agreement and reject any additional conditions from Hezbollah.

21. The European Union commends the constructive engagement of Israel and Lebanon and urges all actors to adhere to the agreement and to implement their commitments including through the newly established trilateral Military Coordination Group. 

22. We call for a permanent end to hostilities and full respect of international law, including international humanitarian law, and reiterate that any lasting solution must be anchored in the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We call on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon and on Hezbollah to fully disarm in order to ensure state monopoly over arms across the whole territory. 

23. The EU stands ready to support the implementation of the framework agreement and further enhance its support for the LAF and the internal security forces, including through a possible EU CSDP mission.

24. The EU recalls the importance of a continued UN presence in Lebanon in a post-UNIFIL context and reaffirms the EU’s readiness to contribute in that regard in 2027 and to coordinate with any future UN presence in Lebanon, as well as with existing and future bilateral and international initiatives. 

25. Let me turn to Syria. The European Union remains committed to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria that enables the participation of all Syrians without distinction and upholds their human rights without discrimination on any ground.

26. We are strengthening our cooperation with the Syrian transitional government to support the country’s transition, socio-economic recovery reconstruction and strategic repositioning in the region. We remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance to people in need. We also continue cooperating closely with Syrian civil society, whose role is key for the success of these efforts.

27. The recent formation of the People’s Assembly in Syria marks another welcome step in the country’s political transition. One of its major tasks will be to adopt a new Constitution and contribute to substantial reforms for the future of Syria. Building functioning and representative public institutions and advancing accountability and transitional justice will be key for national reconciliation and long-term stability. The EU stands ready to engage with the People’s Assembly, both to support capacity building and good governance and to work together towards achieving common goals, including ensuring respect for international law and the UN Charter.

28. The EU encourages the strengthening of cooperation between the Syrian transitional Government with all UN bodies, including the Commission of Inquiry, International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons, ensuring their unhindered access across Syria. 

29. For the transition to succeed, Syria must remain insulated from regional hostilities. The EU urges all external actors to fully respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, in accordance with international law. We condemn unilateral military interventions, destabilising interference, and foreign disinformation campaigns that threaten Syria’s stability and prospects for peace.

30. Finally, the EU calls on Israel to respect the demilitarized buffer zone and to uphold the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.

     

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