EU ministers will meet with the man nominated to lead on Gaza for President Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) for the first time today.
Nickolay Mladenov – a former MEP and Bulgarian foreign minister – is due to meet current EU foreign ministers including Helen McEntee at lunch time.
Around 12 EU member states as well as the European Commission sent observers to the first meeting of the Board of Peace last week.
All EU countries except Hungary have declined Trump’s invitation to join the BoP over concerns that its remit is expanding and fears that it could undermine the United Nations.
Mladenov said that the BoP had begun the process of recruiting a new police force for Palestine.
The US and Israel insist that the new force does not contain any members of the existing Hamas-controlled police.
The European Union wants to restart a police training programme in neighbouring Lebanon or Jordan. The EU is deeply concerned about continued violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
Ahead of the meeting in Brussels, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD said:
“The immediate priority is getting humanitarian aid into and across Gaza. Civilians are facing severe shortages of food and medicine, inadequate shelter and limited access to basic services. Israel must allow greater access through border crossings and ensure aid can reach those who need it most.”
“I look forward to hearing from High Representative Mladenov on how the Gaza peace plan can be advanced and how the EU can support those efforts, in line with UN Security Council resolutions.
We also cannot ignore the deeply worrying developments in the West Bank. Ongoing military operations and settlement expansion, including recent moves to expand Israeli control, are contrary to international law and risk undermining the two-State solution. The EU must act urgently to protect the viability of that solution.”
EU foreign ministers have a long list of other issues to discuss today including Syria, Iran and Ukraine.
Helen McEntee said:
“As we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we are reminded of the immense suffering this war has caused. Russia can choose to end this war. Instead, it continues its attacks on Ukrainian towns and energy infrastructure. Ireland stands firmly with the Ukrainian people.
“I look forward to hearing from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on the latest peace efforts in Geneva. Any outcome must deliver a just and lasting peace — one that fully respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and protects the security of both Ukraine and Europe. The EU must continue its strong political, financial and military support for Ukraine, including maintaining pressure on Russia through robust sanctions and action against its shadow fleet.”
On Iran, the Minister added: “The renewed US-Iran talks in Geneva are a positive step. A negotiated solution to the nuclear issue remains essential. Iran should engage constructively and address the legitimate concerns of the international community about its nuclear programme.”
On Syria, she said: “The EU should continue to support a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria. Our focus must be on practical steps that improve daily life for Syrians. The transitional Government needs support and capacity-building, but it is equally important that Syria’s future is shaped by Syrians themselves, free from undue external interference.”