© François Aulner / RTL
The EU's special representative for the peace process in the Middle East, Sven Koopmans, met with Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel in Luxembourg to discuss the ongoing situation and potential peace negotiations.
Koopmans emphasised the urgency of seizing the current moment to initiate peace negotiations. "If we don't do it today, it's hard to imagine that we'll do it another time," he said after talks with Bettel.
He highlighted the importance of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as a priority for the EU, alongside preventing regional conflict and securing the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.
Koopmans stressed that everyone sees the situation and the suffering as "unbearable" and that action must be taken now.
Bettel acknowledged the EU's limited scope of action, admitting that the ultimate decisions lie with Middle Eastern politicians. "In the end, everything would be in the hands of the politicians in the Middle East. On the one hand the Israeli government and on the other hand the organisation for the liberation of Palestine."
He criticised the Israeli government for unblocking funds intended for Palestine while authorising further settlements by Israeli hardliners, which remains a contentious issue for the EU.
Bettel also mentioned that the EU has committed additional resources to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, while ensuring the agency's neutrality. He plans another visit to the Middle East, potentially after the summer period, though he did not specify a date.
Koopmans praised Bettel for his active and creative efforts in establishing common positions within the EU, such as condemning further Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory.
On Tuesday, Bettel will receive the Foreign Minister of Jordan. On Monday, the 27 EU foreign ministers discussed the Middle East situation in Brussels.
