Josep Borrell commented on the need to avoid the widening of the war in the Middle East, as well as EU aid to Ukraine at the UN General Assembly in New York.
European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell has warned against the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, and said significant diplomatic mediation efforts were needed to avoid the outbreak of a wider war.
He made this statement following the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This year’s high-level general debate focuses on the theme: “Leaving no one behind: acting together to promote peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations “.
“Civilians are paying an intolerable and unacceptable price.”
Mr Borrell said the attacks were both targeted and random, “targeted because of their objective and random because of their consequences“, adding that he condemned these attacks because civilians were paying an “unacceptable price”.
On Sunday, 500 people were killed and 4,400 injured by Israeli airstrikes, according to Mr Borrell. He stressed that the number of casualties suggests that the impact of the strikes on civilians is not being taken into account.
The EU foreign policy chief said the risk of escalation posed a danger to the entire region and added that the path to peace began with a ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
Mr Borrell criticised the Security Council’s failure to implement the resolution so far, despite it being adopted in 2006.
“It’s been almost 20 years (and) I’m still calling for the implementation of this resolution“.
He addressed the issue of the risk of loss oflegitimacy of the Security Councilwhich is causing increasing concern.
“In fact, either nothing is agreed upon, or, when it does agree, the resolution is not implemented.” he said.
Compromise without compromising core values
Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsolahas stood as a guarantor of multilateralism in a changing world which, according to her, is facing a “ever greater fragmentation of politics and communities“.
She added that the European Parliament had to relearn how to compromise, without compromising its core values, and said this was essential to finding common ground.
“In the European Parliament we have 720 members who belong to groups from across the political spectrum. I can tell you that it often seems impossible, but we find ways, we build majorities not by entrenching ourselves, not by violating abstract terms, but by seeking common ground through compromise.” she said at the annual summit of Concordia 2024.
Ms Metsola referred to the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, and said political cooperation was essential to achieve peace.
War in Ukraine
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Mr Borrell believes that Russia has received weapons from Iran, especially missiles. He expressed concern that these missiles are approaching the space of the European Union member states and, in some cases, penetrating it.
The European diplomat congratulated Ukraine for successfully striking and destroying significant ammunition depots inside Russian territory, and said the G7 would continue to discuss Ukraine’s potential use of long-range weapons in the coming week.
Mr Borrell said he had made his position on the issue clear and that he supported the use of long-range weapons against Russia. “Not everyone agrees with this position. But we will see what the position will be at the end of the week,” he added.
Josep Borrell stressed that Ukraine needs the support of the European Union more than ever, especially regarding the country’s energy situation, and said that “theRussia wants to plunge Ukraine into darkness and cold“as winter approaches.
“In order to support Ukraine, the Commission has presented a proposal to mobilise up to €35 billion to support Ukraine, both militarily and economically. And both must be done at the same time. It makes no sense to provide you with an electricity generator today if it is to be destroyed tomorrow.” he said.
As for the potential use by Ukraine long range weapons against Moscow, he indicated that discussions were continuing within the framework of the G7.