In a significant development, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the bloc‘s top diplomat for Syria will head to Damascus on Monday to initiate contact with the new Syrian government.
Archiv: European Union External Action (EEAS) / Auswärtiger Dienst der Europäischen Union
Jordan: Press remarks by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell after meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi
Q. [Inaudible… on the ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu and Galant] How do you look at this in Jordan? The same question also is addressed to Mister Borrell, how do you view this International Criminal Court (ICC) resolution? Do you believe that the European Union and the international community can implement this decision or resolution or not?
Thank you. As I said before, the tragedy in Gaza has to stop. Now, I will be very sober in my comment. It is not a political decision. It is a decision of a Court, of a Court of Justice, of the International Criminal Court. The decisions of the courts have to be respected and implemented. So, I take note of the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, the former Minister of Defence Mister [Yoav] Gallant, and the Hamas’ leaders. This decision is a binding decision and all States, all States parties of the [Rome Statute of] Court, which include all members of the European Union, are bound to implement this court decision.
Borrell on ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu: Court decision must be respected and honored
EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell reacted during a press conference on Thursday to the news about the issuance of an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country‘s former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
He said the warrants issued by the Court are not political and the court‘s decision should be respected and implemented, Euronews reported.
EU will not halt dialogue with Israel, says Poland
“We know that there are tragic events in Gaza, huge civilian casualties, but we do not forget who started the current cycle of violence,” Sikorski said in Brussels. “And I can tell you that there was no agreement on the idea of suspending negotiations with Israel.”
Top EU diplomat‘s proposal to halt dialogue with Israel blocked
Diplomats said the politicians who did not support Borrell‘s initiative at the meeting included foreign ministers from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Netherlands.
War in Gaza: we cannot continue with business as usual
(November 16, 2024)
What we see of the tragedy of Gaza is however only the tip of the iceberg since the strip has been sealed. There are hardly any journalists or international observers entering Gaza since more than one year. It is the longest information blackout ever imposed by a democratic state. In addition, there are reasons to believe that journalists have been targeted by Israeli Defence Forces. To this day more than 130 have been killed.
This pattern at play for too long in Gaza, is now being replicated elsewhere. In South Lebanon, some 30 villages have been obliterated – not as a result of heavy combat, but in a controlled way, posted on social media. In the West Bank, extremist settlers‘ violence is forcing many Palestinian farmers and herders off their land. Uprooted olive trees, killed or stolen livestock and torched vehicles, have become part of daily reality in many rural communities. Israeli airstrikes in Jenin and Tulkarem, the first in more than two decades, have added to the destruction of civilian infrastructure left behind by bulldozers earlier this year.
Suspend political dialogue with Israel: Borrell’s proposal comes to the table of EU countries
(November 14, 2024)
A political legacy on the part of the EU diplomacy chief, who has come to the end of his term, but one that is unlikely to be seized upon by the 27: for any amendment to the Association Agreement that governs EU-Israel relations, the rule of unanimity is required.
Five EU Nations Likely To Recognise Statehood For Palestine; Unhappy Israel Dubs Stance ‚Prize For Terrorism‘
Watch as EU‘s Foreign Policy Chief reveals at the World Economic Forum that five EU members, including Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Slovenia, and Malta, may recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of May.
Gaza/Israel: Statement by the High Representative on Palestinians citizens killed during a transfer of aid supplies
Last Thursday, over a hundred civilians were killed and many other wounded when desperately trying to get food from a convoy, many of them victims of the Israeli army fire during the ensuing stampede. The firing by Israeli soldiers against civilians trying to access foodstuff is unjustifiable.
We request an impartial international investigation on this tragic event allowing for a clear picture of the events and responsibilities. In any case, it is Israel‘s responsibility to comply with the rules of international law and to protect the distribution of humanitarian aid to civilian populations.
Many of those killed or wounded in Gaza stampede for aid were shot by Israeli army, EU arm says
Many of the Palestinians killed or wounded in the chaos as they tried to get bags of flour from an aid convoy were hit by Israeli army fire, the European Union’s diplomatic service said Saturday, urging an international investigation.
I called EU’s @JosepBorrellF to urge a clear EU stand against Israeli crimes in Gaza, including inhumane attack on Jabalia which caused 100s of more civilian casualties. #UNSC is paralyzed in the face of these violations of Int’l law. It must work peace. That is its mandate.
(October 31, 2023)
Borrell: We don‘t agree with those who say Ukraine cannot win this war
European Union Defense Ministers disagree with those who say that Ukraine cannot win this war, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said.
Ukraine war: China’s peace envoy adds Brussels to his European tour after meeting in Kyiv
Li travelled to Kyiv via Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday, and is expected to return to the Polish capital on Thursday, staying until Sunday.
On Wednesday, Li met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said the talks focused on his country’s territorial integrity.
Poland and Germany to train Ukrainian troops
“Now we know for sure that the mission will operate in Poland, Germany and any other country willing to take up this responsibility,” Mr Rau said.
Last month, the EU Council agreed to set up the Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). According to the European Council’s website, “the aim of the mission is to contribute to enhancing the military capability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to effectively conduct military operations, in order to allow Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, effectively exercise its sovereignty and protect civilians.”
EU members to train Ukrainian military
Training will take place in Poland and Germany, according to Borrell, who noted that “there are a lot of countries willing to participate” in this mission.
EU foreign policy chief says diplomats are slow, ineffective and patronising
(11.10.2022)
Borrell, a Spanish former foreign minister, who has a reputation for bluntness, lamented that the EU’s global diplomatic network was less informative than reading the papers. “Sometimes, I knew more of what was happening somewhere by reading the newspapers than reading your reports,” he said.
“I should be the best-informed guy in the world,” Borrell complained, instructing them to be more reactive to unfolding crises. “Behave as you would behave if you were an embassy: send a telegram, a cable, a mail – quickly. Quickly, please, react.”
Iran drones Pt.2 – “Claims of Iran providing Russia with drones is circulated by western sources. We have not provided weaponry to any side of the countries at war,” Iran FM Nasser Kanaani. EU’s Borrell said they would look for “concrete evidence.” Nice; that would really help
Ukrainian, EU Officials Suspect Iranian Involvement as Kamikaze Drones Wreak Havoc on Kyiv
(17.10.2022)
A wave of “suicide drone” attacks inundated Kyiv in recent days, killing an unknown number of Ukrainian civilians. Ukrainian and European Union officials believe the Russian strikes were carried out using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones, though Iran denies any involvement or role in supplying such drones to Russia.
Iran says nuclear talks to lift sanctions will resume soon
Amir Abdollahian said the decision was made after detailed and in-depth talks with Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief.
“The talks to remove the sanctions imposed on Iran will be resumed soon,“ Amir Abdollahian said in a joint press conference with Borrell.
EU’s Enrique Mora holds talks with Araqchi in Tehran
TEHRAN – European External Action Service (EEAS) Deputy Secretary General Enrique Mora, who has visited Tehran to attend the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi as the new Iranian president, held talks on Wednesday with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who led the Iranian team in six rounds of nuclear talks in Vienna.
Mora has been leading the nuclear talks in Vienna between Iran, the European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the United States with the aim of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the JCPOA.
EU HR Borrell meets MFA of Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine
Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, meets Aureliu Ciocoi, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova, David Zalkaliani, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Georgia and Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on 24 June 2021, in Brussels.
Biden, Khamenei Hope to Sign Nuclear Deal Before Iran’s June 18 Presidential Election
“It’s one of the fastest negotiations ever between Iran and the Western states,” a European diplomat familiar with the talks told Haaretz.
“If in the past the Iranians submitted each interim agreement for the leadership’s approval in Tehran, a process that sometimes took several days, this time things are being done swiftly. Apparently the Iranian delegation has received wider latitude, but the American flexibility has undoubtedly also contributed a great deal.”
U.S. and Iran Agree to Resume Talks on Nuclear Deal
A face-to-face meeting between officials from the two countries over the nuclear agreement would be the first since late 2017, months before the Trump administration withdrew from the deal in May 2018.
Iran, World Powers to Hold Talks on Friday to Discuss U.S. Return to Nuclear Deal, EU Says
Two diplomatic sources said Britain, France and Germany had already held talks with Iran on Monday.
Gespräche über Atomabkommen mit Iran morgen
Borrell zufolge nehmen an den Gesprächen Vertreter aus den Ländern teil, die noch in dem Abkommen von 2015 geblieben sind – das sind außer dem Iran Deutschland, China, Frankreich, Russland und Großbritannien.
EU ruft Botschafter in Havanna wegen Appells an Biden zurück
Nach seiner Unterzeichnung eines Appells an US-Präsident Joe Biden, die Sanktionen gegen Kuba aufzuheben, hat die Europäische Union ihren Botschafter in Havanna zurückgerufen. Der spanische Diplomat Alberto Navarro solle in Brüssel die Gründe für seinen Schritt erklären, teilte ein Sprecher des EU-Außenbeauftragten Josep Borrell gestern der Nachrichtenagentur AFP mit.
Iran erwartet Beilegung des Atomstreits mit USA
Der Iran rechnet mit einer Lösung im Atomstreit mit den USA. „Wir sagen mit Zuversicht voraus, dass diplomatische Initiativen zu einem günstigen Ergebnis führen werden“, sagte der Sprecher der Regierung in Teheran, Ali Rabiei, heute. „Diplomatisches Hickhack“ sei normal im Vorfeld einer Einigung.
The #JCPOA at a critical moment. Intense talks with all participants and the US. I am ready to invite them to an informal meeting to discuss the way forward.
Biden Administration Formally Offers to Restart Nuclear Talks With Iran
While it was unclear whether the Iranians would agree to join discussions, three people familiar with the internal debate said it was likely Iran would accept. The officials said Iran would probably be more open to a meeting with the European Union, where the United States was a guest or observer, rather than direct formal talks with Washington as a participant.
Josep Borrell: Es ist Zeit, mit Russland statt über Russland zu sprechen
Im Gastkommentar spricht sich der EU-Außenbeauftragte Josep Borrell für eine Verbesserung der EU/Russland-Beziehungen aus.
Iran’s Zarif proposes coordinated return to nuclear deal with US
(02.02.2021)
In an interview with CNN on Monday, Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), created a joint commission coordinated by the EU’s foreign policy chief.
EU condemns killing of Iranian nuclear scientist as ‘criminal act’
“In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever for all parties to remain calm and exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid escalation which cannot be in anyone’s interest,” said Peter Sano, lead spokesperson for the external affairs division of the European Union, based in Brussels.
International Criminal Court: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on US sanctions
The European Union is unwavering in its support for the universality of the Rome Statute and for the ICC. We will resolutely defend it from any attempts aimed at obstructing the course of justice and undermining the international system of criminal justice.
EU TO HOST SYRIA DONOR CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS ON JUNE 29-30, WILL ALSO INVITE GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED IN CONFLICT – BORRELL
EU TO HOST SYRIA DONOR CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS ON JUNE 29-30, WILL ALSO INVITE GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED IN CONFLICT – BORRELL
Außenminister Schallenberg schlägt Einsatz von EU-Grenzschützern in Libyen vor
„Wir unterstützen den Vorschlag des Europäischen Auswärtigen Dienstes, eine Ausweitung der Luftraumüberwachung vorzunehmen“, sagte Schallenberg der „Welt“. Das könne allerdings nur ein erster Schritt sein. „Vorbehaltlich der Zustimmung der Libyer könnten EU-Grenzbeamte die Durchsetzung des Waffenembargos vor Ort unterstützen. Österreich wäre bereit, sich dabei zu beteiligen“, zitierte das Blatt den Minister.
EU officials push for bloc to enforce Libya arms embargo
One European diplomat said there was agreement among the bloc’s 27 members to strengthen U.N. monitoring of the embargo, but not on the issue of dispatching naval assets.
The diplomat, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Austria has objected to putting naval ships back into the Mediterranean, and issue that would likely come up at the annual Munich Security Conference over the weekend.
EU erwägt Militäreinsatz in Libyen
Die Konferenz in Berlin soll Libyen eine dauerhafte Waffenruhe bringen. Um diese gegebenenfalls zu überwachen, schließt die EU auch einen Militäreinsatz nicht aus. Die Abschlusserklärung des Treffens ist offenbar fast fertig.
Libyen: Borrell will notfalls EU-Soldaten entsenden
Der EU-Außenbeauftragte Josep Borrell schließt einen Militäreinsatz der Europäischen Union in Libyen nicht aus.
EU HR Borrell meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, France, Italy and United Kingdom: roundtable
Josep BORRELL, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, meets with Heiko MAAS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany; Jean-Yves LE DRIAN, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France; Luigi DI MAIO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy; Dominic RAAB, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State of the United Kingdom, on 7 January 2020, in Brussels.
Foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Italy are meeting to discuss Iran and Libya. Journalist Lucy Hough reports from Brussels
Persischer Golf: Entsendung der Bundeswehr-Marine aufgeschoben
Außenbeauftragte Mogherini: Entsendung einer koordinierten E.U.-Kriegsflotte in den Golf von Guinea, derzeit keine E.U.-Option für den Persischen Golf.
Arrival and doorstep by Heiko MAAS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, at the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers (Gymnich), taking place on 29 August 2019, in Helsinki.
(video)
European leaders vow to step up efforts to get US and Iran talking
(29.08.2019)
The foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany — the three European parties to the deal — were joined by EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini for talks on the sidelines of an EU meeting in Helsinki.
Germany’s Heiko Maas said the trio wanted to build on momentum from last weekend’s G7 summit, where Trump indicated willingness to talk to Iran.
EU-Minister für Aufbau maritimer Präsenz „light“
Die bestehenden Flotten der EU-Länder würden daran auf freiwilliger Basis teilnehmen und der nationalen Kommandokette unterworfen bleiben.
#MaritimeSecurity @FedericaMog Growing demand for #EU role as a security provider. Discussion on a EU Coordinated Maritime Presences in areas of strategic interest, to share informations & analysis, & promote international cooperation at sea. First test could be in Gulf of Guinea
EU to test new naval coordination in Africa
A pilot project will take place targeting piracy in the Gulf of Guinea area in Africa, EU foreign relations chief Federica Mogherini said after the talks in Helsinki Thursday.
Warnung vor „Militarisierung“ des Südchinesischen Meeres
Die EU-Außenbeauftragte Federica Mogherini hat vor einer „Militarisierung“ des Südchinesischen Meeres gewarnt. Die EU sei besorgt über „zunehmende Spannungen“ in dem Gebiet, sagte Mogherini heute bei einem Besuch in Vietnam.
Netanyahu accuses Europeans of appeasing Iran like they did Germany in the ’30s
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, offers Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for its scaling back of parts of its nuclear program until 2025.
The United States, which under former President Barack Obama was the driving force behind the deal, pulled out last year under President Donald Trump and snapped back sanctions on Iran and third parties that do business with the Islamic Republit.
Arrival and doorstep by Federica MOGHERINI, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, at the Foreign Affairs Council, taking place on 15 July 2019, in Brussels.
(video)
UK, France, Germany call for dialogue with Iran
Ahead of the foreign affairs council on Monday 15 July, the foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement calling for dialogue between all parties involved.
Liveblog zum EU-Gipfel – Poker um Topjobs auch am Montagmorgen
Seit Sonntagabend berät ein Sondergipfel über die Besetzung der EU-Topjobs. Trotz stundenlanger Einzelgespräche ist noch keine Einigung in Sicht. Der EU-Gipfel im Liveblog.
Gespräche über Nacht: Heftiges Tauziehen um EU-Topjobs
Zwischenzeitlich soll sich allerdings wieder eine Mehrheit für Timmermanns abgezeichnet haben, EVP-Spitzenkandidat Manfred Weber ist in weiterer Folge als Präsident des europäischen Parlaments im Gespräch. Auch über Tusks Nachfolger, den nächsten EZB-Chef sowie über den nächsten Außenbeauftragten soll entschieden werden.
EU summit: Centre-left Timmermans tipped for top post
EU leaders will gather in Brussels shortly for talks to decide who should get the EU‘s top jobs, including a new Commission president.
Reports say the current favourite to head it is Dutch centre-left politician Frans Timmermans. He is a Commission first vice-president.